Once you get past the snooty hostesses, a pleasant meal can be had at Enoteca. Our picks include the antipasti sampler (you choose one dish for $5 or 3 for $12), cozze con patate fritte (moules frites) and the calamari panini. Be preapred, however, as the formo panini is plated as a heaping mound of fried calamri over a baguette sliced open with a shred of lettuce and slice of tomato on the inside. You have to go after it with a fork, obsoleting the sanwich format.
He says: Good wine list, SoCo standby. They only seat full parties.
She says: Avoid the pasta as the flavors are bland, except for too much salt. Go for the haricots verts, soppressata and asiago antipasti for a fulfilling room temperature starter.
3 years ago
This week we sampled the happy hour specials at two classic Austin hotels. First, at Roaring Fork at the Stephen F. Austin, we had the “Big Ass” burger and guacamole. The burger deserves its name, as we were stuffed after splitting what comes topped with cheddar, bacon and pickles, and is accompanied by a sizeable portion of fries. The guac is listed on the menu as “made to order.” Note that this does not mean made tableside (what we were hoping for).
At Trio, downstairs at the Four Seasons, appetizers and wine are half price Monday through Saturday, 5-8pm. We are huge fans of the tuna tartare, which rests on ice and above a heaping mound of guac, the mini lamb burgers and the Texas cheese plate. The fries are nothing like those at Roaring Fork, and instead come out as thick potato wedges drizzled with truffle oil and stick stick after of rosemary. I’d probably pass on these next time. We do hear the mac and cheese is another must try.
He says: Note that the Trio HH menu is only available inside. Saddle up to the bar at either of these places to be in cougar central.
She says: Always try to score a seat at the bar for these special menus. Otherwise, service can be very spotty if your tucked into a dark and remote corner of the restaurant during high-traffic hours.
3 years ago
For simple American fare and better than average cocktails, head to the Woodland at the South end of South Congress. We’ve had success at dinner with the salmon, pork chop and veggie burger. The one unfortunate aspect about the bistro is that the menu tends to change without much notice. We’re ok with changes to take advantage of special seasonal produce, but not for the sake of cost cutting (especially when the price to the customer isn’t reduced). The roasted chicken was replaced with “Airline Chicken,” and all that was missing was the plane tray. Prices have stayed constant and fewer sides (the vegetables) are presented with main courses.
He says: Great cocktails, pretty good food, casual atmosphere and good service. For Austin, this equates to well above average.
She says: Love the Back Porch Tea, which is a green-tea infused Arnold Palmer. Note that the veggie bruger is gigantic and predominantly made of grains and nuts…a lot courser and crumbly, and less gluey than the forzen variety.
3 years ago
