About a month ago now, we were invited to Fleming's downtown Austin location to check out their new menu additions. Sean and I have several times visited their north location for their very reasonably-priced happy hour, but hadn't experienced their proper sit-down menu yet, so we jumped at the chance.

Continue reading "New Menu Preview"

Last month, we attended a media event at Maria Maria in downtown Austin. I had no real expectations going in. It's a chain restaurant bearing the Carlos Santana name. One's gut instinct might be to expect the worst: perhaps a highly focused Hard Rock situation. But the price was right for giving it a shot, and the menu sounded interesting, so away we went.

Continue reading "Santanaland"

You'd think I'd have learned by now that sometimes my ingrained politeness gets in the way. I'd been dreaming of our dinner reservation at Uchiko for a solid week (and dreaming in a less time-dimensioned manner even before that). We walked in for our early evening reservation and were seated at an interior table. I glanced longingly at the light-drenched booths by the windows but didn't want to ask for one them since they were all four-tops. I should have pushed for it. Instead, though Sean worked very hard, our pictures will likely not adequately convey the glory of the food we were able to try out during Uchiko's pre-opening last week.

Continue reading "Yeah, We Figured It'd Be Good"

Often, for Sean and I, eating out is an occasion. And especially since we've been watching our budget, it's something we've saved for special occasions. But what if you just want really excellent food without all the fanfare and expense. For that, I would suggest Foreign and Domestic.

Continue reading "Getting Tongue"

The definition of a guilty pleasure. That's how I've been referring to the food at The Trailer at The Gibson Bar. And I refer to it often. We were recently invited to experience firsthand the wonder that is the Trailer Burger (a burger whose bun is a Round Rock dough-nut), but let me assure you, that wasn't even the most decadent item consumed.

Continue reading "Guilty Pleasures"

After a few beers to celebrate a friend's birthday, we decided that what we wanted more than anything was pizza. We decided to hit one of the places we didn't have stomach capacity to visit during the Tasty-Up Trailer Tour this past spring. Tucked away just this side of nowhere is one fantastic pizza joint: Spartan Pizza.

Continue reading "Tonight We Dine in Hell"

Trailer eating in Austin has only been picking up steam since the last time we went trailer touring. Recently, with our trailer buddies Jeff and Sharon in tow, we attended the Tasty Up Trailer Tour, a mash-up between Jodi's Tasty Touring and Addie's Eat-ups.

Continue reading "Tornado Magnet"

I'd been hearing about the Carillon off and on since December, it seems, and almost exclusively via Twitter. We were fortunate enough to be invited to a media event to celebrate the restaurant's official launch this past Friday. I will not lie to you. It was a little tough to find the restaurant which is tucked neatly into the shiny new AT&T Executive Education and Conference Center, but after the food we sampled, I believe it's well worth seeking out.

Continue reading "Dreaming of Beef Short Ribs"

It all started with Eat Local Week this past December. It got me thinking that I often didn't consider the bounty that central Texas has to offer – and that extends beyond organically grown produce and ethically raised meat. It includes talented people producing all manner of wonderful food items. So, in the spirit of Eat Local Week, we placed our very first order with The Soup Peddler.

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The seed was sown last Christmas when my husband's parents gifted me with a lovely tin of tea called Earl Grey Creme from Mrsteas. The aroma was heavenly. I am generally a fan of Earl Grey tea anyway, but whatever they blend it with to give it that incredible sweet aroma and subtle “creme” flavor renders it unique. This holiday season, after begging to go back and refill my long-depleted stock of Earl Grey Creme, I found out they served food as well, and it turned out to be one of my favorite dining experiences of the trip.

Continue reading "A Spot of Tea"