August 19, 2009
Trip to Lockhart with the Parents We recently were convinced by Nick’s parents to make the quick juant from Austin to Kruez Market in Lockhart. It took a little nudging since we love the bbq joint that’s two steps from our place, Iron Works, and can’t get enough of their two bbq sauces and brontosaurus ribs. The verdict is in though and Kreuz is well worth the trip. One can go without sauce when the meat is salted properly. The tender pork ribs and spicy jalapeño cheese sausage are stand outs. The sides lack vibrancy though, so we recommend sticking with the meat. A few last tips: 1) make sure to dress lightly or bring a friend to fetch your meat for you…you order and pick up that meat at unbearably hot bbq pits (pictured above) and 2) BYOP…P for plastic silverware if you don’t want your fingers to smell smoky for a good few days. He says: Best pork ribs I’ve ever had - loved the peppercorn crust - save the trip and stay in Austin for brisket. She says: It’s the perfect cure for sleep deprivation. After eating, I immediately passed out for two hours. There’s got to be something dangerous in that dry rub!

Trip to Lockhart with the Parents

We recently were convinced by Nick’s parents to make the quick juant from Austin to Kruez Market in Lockhart. It took a little nudging since we love the bbq joint that’s two steps from our place, Iron Works, and can’t get enough of their two bbq sauces and brontosaurus ribs.

The verdict is in though and Kreuz is well worth the trip. One can go without sauce when the meat is salted properly. The tender pork ribs and spicy jalapeño cheese sausage are stand outs. The sides lack vibrancy though, so we recommend sticking with the meat. A few last tips: 1) make sure to dress lightly or bring a friend to fetch your meat for you…you order and pick up that meat at unbearably hot bbq pits (pictured above) and 2) BYOP…P for plastic silverware if you don’t want your fingers to smell smoky for a good few days.

He says: Best pork ribs I’ve ever had - loved the peppercorn crust - save the trip and stay in Austin for brisket.

She says: It’s the perfect cure for sleep deprivation. After eating, I immediately passed out for two hours. There’s got to be something dangerous in that dry rub!

Comments (View)
July 24, 2009
Garrido’s Since Las Mas closed there has been a gaping hole in the Mexican category downtown for reasonably priced not fussy Mexican fare. Garrido’s fills that gap. Everything on the menu is under $10 and their happy hour margs and paloma’s are only $4 until 7pm. Two of us got out of there with an app, 2 entrees and 2 drinks for under $30. The space has a nice ambiance without being too uber-chic and the patio overlooking downtown is an urban oasis. The tuna tacos were light and fresh while the skirt steak tacos had some serious kick. The guac was just average but for $2.50 who can complain?

Garrido’s

Since Las Mas closed there has been a gaping hole in the Mexican category downtown for reasonably priced not fussy Mexican fare. Garrido’s fills that gap. Everything on the menu is under $10 and their happy hour margs and paloma’s are only $4 until 7pm. Two of us got out of there with an app, 2 entrees and 2 drinks for under $30. The space has a nice ambiance without being too uber-chic and the patio overlooking downtown is an urban oasis. The tuna tacos were light and fresh while the skirt steak tacos had some serious kick. The guac was just average but for $2.50 who can complain?

Comments (View)
July 21, 2009
EASTSIDE SHOWROOM Wow. WOW! As some of you have noted in the comments to this blog it is hard to impress us. But its not impossible. Showroom did it tonight (well just me…he). The owner, Mickey, whose identical twin sister also works at the joint, opened up in Brooklyn initially but decided Austin was the proper home for this gem. Everything in this place is homemade. From the furniture (welded by Mickey) to the soda (that’s right, no coke for you, but the house cola is incredible). All of the food ingredients come from no greater than 150 miles away and the freshest of which are listed on a chalk board by the entrance. The bar menu is also unique and is the only real challenger to Fino I have come across. I think Bill Norris might even agree (though he did also create the new bar menu at Annie’s). The staff couldn’t be more friendly and knowledgeable. The head bartender and some of the other barbacks are ex-Lambertites (another favourite). Our lamb and goat burger (with chevre and homemade mustard) was paired with carrot mashers and a parsley salad. We also tried the liver pate with candied bacon, which though far from kosher, was transcendent. With a capacity of 52, I am not sure how they are going to manage the demand, but I hope they remember me, because I plan to be a regular.

EASTSIDE SHOWROOM

Wow. WOW! As some of you have noted in the comments to this blog it is hard to impress us. But its not impossible. Showroom did it tonight (well just me…he). The owner, Mickey, whose identical twin sister also works at the joint, opened up in Brooklyn initially but decided Austin was the proper home for this gem. Everything in this place is homemade. From the furniture (welded by Mickey) to the soda (that’s right, no coke for you, but the house cola is incredible). All of the food ingredients come from no greater than 150 miles away and the freshest of which are listed on a chalk board by the entrance. The bar menu is also unique and is the only real challenger to Fino I have come across. I think Bill Norris might even agree (though he did also create the new bar menu at Annie’s). The staff couldn’t be more friendly and knowledgeable. The head bartender and some of the other barbacks are ex-Lambertites (another favourite). Our lamb and goat burger (with chevre and homemade mustard) was paired with carrot mashers and a parsley salad. We also tried the liver pate with candied bacon, which though far from kosher, was transcendent. With a capacity of 52, I am not sure how they are going to manage the demand, but I hope they remember me, because I plan to be a regular.

Comments (View)
July 12, 2009
The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf comes to Austin Check out their first location (owned by Nolan Ryan) here at 221 South Lamar. It has a pleasant and welcoming feel- a 3rd space that is in between a local coffee house and franchise operation. The staff couldn’t be nicer and the parfaits are heaping with endless ingredient options.

The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf comes to Austin

Check out their first location (owned by Nolan Ryan) here at 221 South Lamar. It has a pleasant and welcoming feel- a 3rd space that is in between a local coffee house and franchise operation. The staff couldn’t be nicer and the parfaits are heaping with endless ingredient options.

Comments (View)
July 6, 2009
Appropriate food trailer? Discuss amongst yourselves.

Appropriate food trailer? Discuss amongst yourselves.

Comments (View)
Whata Whataburger

No, this isn’t a shameless plug for one of the brands I’ve been working on this summer, but rather a genuine endorsement of what I think is the best fast-casual burger around. For the non-native Texans like me, you probably don’t know much about the orange A-line roofs. I can promise you that they’re the go-to spot for juicy and well-seasoned burgers “just like you like it.”

Comments (View)
July 5, 2009
A friend introduced us to the newest vodka craze we’ve been missing. Firefly is a sweet tea infused vodka that seems to have widespread liquor store and restaurant distributrion. Tonight we enjoyed the Firefly martini at Sullivans- Firefly, simple syrup, lemon and a smidge of water. An even easier recipe is Firefly and Sweet Leaf Half and Half.

A friend introduced us to the newest vodka craze we’ve been missing. Firefly is a sweet tea infused vodka that seems to have widespread liquor store and restaurant distributrion. Tonight we enjoyed the Firefly martini at Sullivans- Firefly, simple syrup, lemon and a smidge of water. An even easier recipe is Firefly and Sweet Leaf Half and Half.

Comments (View)
July 3, 2009
Walton’s Sanda Bullock’s new coffee, light fare & florist combination works and it works really well. We’ve been there a few times and all have been enjoyable experiences. The staff is friendly and the food selections are fresh and thoughtfully prepared. We particularly like their salads and paninis. Their iced coffee is actually cafe americano which was tasty with a serious kick. Highly recommended. He says: Bring a book but not your laptop. No wifi yet. She says: My pick is the veggie sandwich.

Walton’s

Sanda Bullock’s new coffee, light fare & florist combination works and it works really well. We’ve been there a few times and all have been enjoyable experiences. The staff is friendly and the food selections are fresh and thoughtfully prepared. We particularly like their salads and paninis. Their iced coffee is actually cafe americano which was tasty with a serious kick. Highly recommended.

He says: Bring a book but not your laptop. No wifi yet. She says: My pick is the veggie sandwich.

Comments (View)
June 27, 2009
Asparagus bacon and manchego coca topped with a fried egg (Fino). Paula Biehler’s favourite. The cocktail is a “Jerry Thomas manhattan”. Delish!

Asparagus bacon and manchego coca topped with a fried egg (Fino). Paula Biehler’s favourite. The cocktail is a “Jerry Thomas manhattan”. Delish!

Comments (View)
Sushi at Soma

Sushi at Soma

Comments (View)