I was in Houston this weekend for my brother’s graduation from Rice, so we went out to eat a lot–gotta celebrate with professors, friends, and the girlfriend’s fam. Hitting so many restaurants in so few days left me wondering about Austin’s dining scene: is it up to snuff? Sure, Houston has the highest number of…
Category: Eating
Review: El Chile North (you know, the free ‘ritas)
I was thoroughly impressed by El Chile North–I haven’t been to the East Austin one, but the food was superb. They serve chips and salsa in little bowls, which one of my companions deemed “classier than a big one.” I thought it just looked like more work for our server, but whatever. The salsa is…
Free Margaritas!!
So Austin favorite El Chile just opened up a location at Far West, and they don’t have their liquor license, so they’re giving away two free margaritas with an entree purchase! El Chile and fast-food kid sister El Chilito are Manor Road faves, hot with the UT crowd and downtown dwellers and workers. I’ve never…
Thoughts on Hula Hut
Hula Hut is an Austin institution, sitting pretty on the shores of Lake Austin next to Mansfield Dam, a place central but tucked into a neighborhood, accessible by boat, car, and for the adventurous, foot. It has succeeded while restaurant after restaurant next door failed. Is it because Hula Hut already has the market on…
Review: Phil’s Icehouse
Yeah, yeah, yeah, I’m way behind the times. Phil’s Icehouse caused quite a stir when it came on the Burnet Road scene (at the very beginning of a Burnet Road scene even existing) because of its mini burgers, funky decor, shared space with Amy’s Ice Creams, and playscape out front. Today I shared lunch there…
Review: Sago Modern Mexican
Based on cocktails and appetizers alone, Sago was delicious! Their signature Z-Martini is a spicy-sweet number sweetened with agave nectar–low on the GI scale, so less of an impact on your blood sugar!–and it even has little pieces of crushed jalapeno floating throughout! We also tried a martini whose name I can’t remember, sort of…
Too many options Thursday!
So many events, so little time. Thursdays are hot in the ATX! (literally and figuratively, natch) Top Billing: Sago Modern Mexican opening! 6:00-7:30pm … Sponsored by Austin Monthly and featuring free apps and martinis, the launch of this new restaurant in the Triangle should be an awesome event. Others: Austin Monthly is also hosting a…
Two To Try: Silhouette Sushi and Tacodeli
Tried two new restaurants last night and for lunch today, and both were stellar! Silhouette Sushi: a hidden gem, “cheap eats ’08” by citysearch.com Chances are you’ve walked past Silhouette and not noticed it, or you’ve seen it and never known what it was. Apparently downtown businessmen know all about it, but downtown revelers looking…
Vegan Cookie!!
I ate a vegan cookie today. I think it probably contained the day’s worth of carbs, but that’s okay, because it was probably the single most delicious thing I have eaten in the past thee years. I’m pretty sure. It was an almond butter cookie from vegan bakery/coffeeshop/Toy Joy-neighbor Dhaba Joy. It was astounding. I…
The Worst Run of My Life
I attempted a 12-miler on Saturday morning and thought I was going to pass out on the side of the road, as my stomach was ripped out of my body by three fists grabbing and twisting it until it snapped. Or because I ate a big egg-white omlette with ground beef and turkey bacon and…