Judge the Cheese - Moose Lodge Austin,TEXAS

Austin Moose Lodge
2103 E. M.Franklin*
(This is an indoor/outdoor location so if the raingods are angry you’ll
still be safe.)
*DOORS OPEN 6PM*
$5 Admission.
*TONIGHT!!! 3/14/09*

CASH BAR (cheese isn’t free, please drink!) (but bring id)
-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-
Everyone who tries one of the almost 900 competition sandwiches is a judge!
If classic is your bag, we will have many classic grilled cheese sammiches
made with Kraft Singles
* While the competition is in full swing, if you have a cheese haiku or poem
you'd like to read, see the MC and you'll get some airtime.


* Bring the family! We will have a special kids area
* More than Cheese-We will have the comedic stylings of Kat Williams, the
awesomeness of the Lunch Ladies, the musical stylings of DumDum and the
Smarties, and a chance for you to strut your stuff through Scaryoke! After
the awards ceremony (because omg the trophies) we will shake our booties to
DJ Skaven

There are no open available slots left for competing, if you want to compete
and haven't registered, there are still a few spots available for the
waiting list. To do so please use the entry form on the site.



So, may the best cheese win!
If you have any other questions, please direct them to:
grilledcheeseaustin@gmail.com

Farmer's Market at Republic Square - 3/7/09 Austin,TEXAS

This morning, the Senora and I made a visit downtown to Austin’s Saturday Farmer's Market at Republic Square. Spring is coming and the strawberries were out. The crowds were quite large and I had to move quickly to take these pictures before everything was bought up…

Enjoy


















I tried a breakfast sausage roll from Sol Catering which tasted fantastic.

Vespaio Ristorante - Austin,TEXAS

The Senora and I love to celebrate Valentines with our dear friends, the Best Dressed Couple. Last year we dined at North, located in the Domain, I had the oso buco which was just wonderful, but this year’s dinner has to be the best yet.

We arrived at Vespaio around 9pm, and as we expected only to find a packed house. The hostess told us that the wait would be around 45 mins to an hr, which didn’t surprise us based on past experience. We made our way to the far end of the bar and wow, actually got some seats, a group of four ladies were just leaving. We order a bottle of Trocadero and the OSTRICHE AL FORNO CON SPINACI E CREMA AL PERNOD (Texas gulf oysters baked in the shell with spinach, Pernod cream & aged asiago cheese) to hold us over, content with the idea of our wait. The food gods must have smiled down at us. Before we had received our antipasto, out of nowhere the hostess taps me on the shoulder, whispers in my ear so not to attract attention from the other folks waiting, that a table for four had mysteriously opened up.

The second we were seated our oysters arrived and we immediately ordered an additional antipasto of the just made mozzarella served with locally grown tomatoes, sweet basil and e.v.o.o. with grilled focaccia bruschetta, and a second bottle of the Trocadero. The oysters paired with the Trocader, is a perfect match; oysters and bubbly are always good together. The mozzarella was light in flavor, not salty and the tomatoes were sweet and tasted so good.

For our entrees the Senora had the SPECIALITA DELLA CASA GAMBERI E PROSCIUTTO GRIGLIATO (Oak fire grilled prosciutto-wrapped jumbo gulf prawns with rapini & suppli finished with red chili pesto). Mrs. Best Dressed chose the PAN SEARED SHOTTISH KING SALMON (creamy yellow polenta, crispy fried oysters and giardiniera aioli), one of Vespaio’s Valentine specials. Mr. Best Dressed, a little more traditional with his food, had the LASAGNE ALLA BOLOGNESE (Sheets of handmade spinach pasta with beef, veal & pork Bolognese, Bechamel, pecorino romano, pork sausage & house made mozzarella). While I also chose from the Valentine menu and had the RISOTTO DEL GIORNO – RISOTTO OF THE DAY (Brick oven roasted beef ox tail in veal ridurre served atop carnaroli risotto made w/ taleggio cheese, root vegetable puree and white truffle oil).

Our meal was fantastic. Not one of us had a complaint or in any way was disappointed with our food or our server, who by the way was attentive but not hovering, just perfect.

We spent about two hours drinking our wine and savoring our food, hoping that our evening wouldn’t end. And when we finally said our goodbyes and headed down the road, we were already making plans to eat again soon at Vespaio, which in both the Senora’s and my mind has to be one of Austin’s best restaurants.

mangi bene

Love at the Moose…

Tonight, the Senora and I are going to attend the Moose Lodge’s Valentine Bingo Game Show Bingo. Lots of fun and prizes to be had by all. Activities kick off around 7:30pm and run to about 12mid for you late birds. The lodge will be rocking with music provided by DJ Mau, and guess what kids, no cover at the door. This is a charity event so bring you dollars, play some bingo, have some fun and win some prizes.

2103 EM Franklin
512-926-0043

I hope the Senora and I see you there…

Slumming in Puerto Vallarta

The whales were breaching, the iguanas were rutting, but unfortunately our camera situation just was not working. Crazy how things work out like that, you know, sometimes….uh.



Starting in Puerto Vallarta, we loitered around the Playa Los Muertos, soaking up the sun, drinking sangria, enjoying the local flavor. An exciting city, P.V. is full of great restaurants, art galleries and for those people that just can’t get enough, foam parties just about every night. For us, the Senora and I, most importantly, lazy beach living and quite romantic evenings spent watching the fireworks over the Banderas Bay.





After a few days of the easy P.V. life, we rented a car and trekked north along the Pacific coast, past Sayulita to our final destination, the tiny town of San Francisco (San Poncho). Our days were spent drinking cold beer and laying in the sun. And when the fancy took us, head in town for a serving of red snapper from the Café Del Mar or maybe a massive 16oz Argentinean rib eye cooked to perfection from Mar Plata.



Back on the near empty San Poncho beach, giant shrimp filled cocktails, enjoyed with shots of Don Julio 1492 tequila ($4), forget the $20 Don Julio shot at Vivo in Austin, and always the endless sound of the sometimes 6 foot waves, breaking on the shore. San Poncho was just that tranquil sort of place the Senora and I needed. A well deserved vacation away from the sounds and smells of the cityscape.






Sayulita proved quit a surprise. We parked the car and slowly made our way down to the beach only to discover upon arrival a vibrant hippy crazed surfer movement going on. An amazingly beautiful town, Sayulita is tucked into a cove of small jungle covered hills dotted with inexpensive hotels and condos. Sayulita is a true haven for the budget minded soul that reads High Times and digs surfing, then all combined with a love for a fantastic beach to lie around on. Cool man.



We had a tasty margarita pizza from Don Pedro's (nice crunchy crust, kinda like Austin's own East Side Pie), washing it down with a mojito or two. After that we just kicked back and relaxed checking out the beach from our perch at the restaurant. Hard living, folks!

Rainwater Harvesting and Water Wise Gardening Seminar Jan 10th

The Senora and I spent a relaxing X-mas with her family in the Texas Valley, McAllen to be precise. The day after Christmas, we were just driving around and looking at the homes next to the downtown area (I am being generous with the term downtown area) when we happened upon what we think is the only community garden in the McAllen city limits. So we took some pics…














When I got back to Austin, I started looking around on the internet for our Travis County community gardens and discovered a great web site about sustainable living in the City of Austin http://www.sustainablefoodcenter.org/ .

Saturday, Jan 10
Rainwater Harvesting and Water Wise Gardening
10am- Noon, Zilker Botanical Garden
Come enjoy a free seminar on capturing rainwater and lowering water usage in your landscape. This session will cover all the basics of building a non-potable rainwater harvesting system. In addition, learn how to design beautiful gardens designed for lower water usage. Don’t be misinformed; xeriscaping is not “zero-scaping”.

http://www.tcmastergardeners.org/what/edseminars.html

Cheese Making Class - Austin Homebrew Supply

I was shopping for brewing supplies at the Austin Homebrew Supply, Anderson and Burnet, when I noticed a flyer advertising a cheese making class happening this Thursday. How cool is that…and only $5 in advance.

Have you ever wanted to make your own cheddar cheese at home? Come to Austin Homebrew Supply on Thursday, December 18, from 6:00 to 7:00 p.m. and learn how!

Reservations are $5.00 in advance, $10 on Thursday, Dec 18th. Receive a $5 Gift Certificate when you attend!

Austin Homebrew
7951 Burnet Rd
Austin, TX 78757
(512) 467-8427

Sunset Valley Farmers Market - TEXAS

The Senora and I started out a little later than I wanted, around 9:15am or so. We had been out late Friday night checking out the new film Milk, which if you haven’t seen is a real winner and definitely worth the money. Fortunately for us, by the time we arrived at the Sunset Valley Farmers Market (located in the parking lot of the Toney Burger Center - 290 W between Brodie Ln and Westgate Blvd ), not everything had been sold and we were able to get some great shots of the plentiful harvest provided by our local Urban Austin / Hill Country / Texas farmers.

A lot of the farmers selling goods at the Sunset Valley and the Republic Square Farmers Markets (downtown Austin) also sell to Whole Foods and Central Market. So if you can’t make either market on Saturday, you can always hit the grocery store and support our local farmers and their businesses.

Enjoy the pics.

The Carrot got a new grill!

It may not look new but it is.

I had originally bought this gem on an impulse buy, and like so many other little things it just ended up in the corner and was forgotten So when I decided to cook chicken Alfredo for the Senora, it just seemed like the perfect time to dust off the olds cobwebs and “break it in”. It was so easy to get the grill started, using my handy charcoal starter. Living in TEXAS I had to throw in a handful or two of mesquite chips, you know for flavor, and by the way it only took one piece of paper from the Austin America Statesman’s real-estate section to get the charcoal started, I love it. I carefully slapped on the chicken breasts with some Roma tomatoes on the side for a later salsa, and then I just kicked back with a Real Ale Pale Ale and wrote this blog.

Austin rocks.

Farmers Market, Republic Square - Austin, TEXAS

Yesterday morning I decided to pay a visit to the Saturday Farmers Market located downtown Austin on Republic Square. I arrived right at 9am and the crowds were already beginning to gather. I was able to take a few pics of the wonderful local products offered before everything was bought up. I hope you enjoy.

Primize - Austin,TEXAS

Primize has to be one of the most unpretentious fine eating joints in town. I really like the fact that you can seat yourself and also the very local Austin feel about the café with the tattoo-covered wait staff catering to your every need.

After finding a booth open at the back of the cafe, we quickly ordered some coffee and got down to the difficult job of satisfying our need for something sweet. I had tried the tiramisu on a previous visit, which I had enjoyed very much, so tonight I wanted to try something different and I think I chose the best that Primize has to offer.

The Senora had the crostata di pesca e mirtillo (a warm peach and blueberry tart with home made vanilla bean gelato). The look of the tart was simple but mouth wateringly inviting. The crust was both warm and crispy; the fruit sweet and delicious, the overall presentation made me think of the kind of comfort food grandma dreamed of serving. I decided to try the torta di limone (Italian lemon cheese cake). No bull kids, but this may be my absolute most favorite dessert in town right now. The cheese cake was small and round, served with a piece of candied lemon rind and sprig of fresh mint. The cake was so incredibly rich in flavor yet not so lemony that it became a chore to eat. It took me a good twenty minutes, savoring each small bite, to finish. The texture of the cake was perfection, very even throughout, not like some cheese cakes served around town, full of gross cheesy lumps.

Our overall cost with coffee came to $16 plus tip. Well worth the money for a most heavenly dessert experience.

Senor Foodblog says two spoons for Primizies desserts. What can I say, we had a great time. The food combined with the room and the warm local feel make Primizie a must-try dinner place. We were both impressed by the local offering menu; I was especially intrigued by the lamb, quail combination. Can't wait to come back and try it.

Dai Due Supper Club - Boggy Creek Farm, Austin TEXAS

The Senora just backed-up her little red car under a giant, shady pecan tree, the likes of which are not much seen around Austin any more. Walking across the gravel parking area, to our left, Boggy Creek Farms has planted expansive gardens of lavender, peppers and what looked like kale. Turning right, rounding the corner of the parking lot hedgerow, we could immediately see a group of folks, gathered around a table holding drinks in their hands, just laughing and whooping it up.

It was around 6:30pm, and Boggy Creek Farms was beginning to take on a magical feel, you know the type one feels around good friends and family about to share an amazing meal. After a few strong gin drinks, provided by the Tipsy Texans, drink bloggers extraordinaire, everyone started to slowly make their way to the long, family style table, set between the lush fig trees, located just behind the Boggy Creek farm house.

Dai Due Supper Club had planed an incredible meal showcasing local grass fed meats and locally grown seasonal produce. The menu listed 10 different offering or combinations including;

Rabbit Terrine with apple chutney

Sweet and Sour okra and eggplantGrilled mushrooms with garlic and marjoram

Creamed pea and dandelion soup with andouille and sweet potatoes

Mixed grill of wild boar tenderloin, beef cheek and kale crepinettes and jalapeno sausage with arugula

During the meal, the sweet music performed by Laura Freeman and Stanley Smith, only added to the intimate, yet incredibly casual warm feeling of the Dai Due dinner. We made friends with everyone sitting around us, and we were soon talking food and having a great time. The Senora felt the whole experience was very "Great Gatsby-esque". Dai Due is BYOB, and we had brought a nice bottle of Gloria Fera blanc de blancs bubbly which paired perfectly with our meal. Buckets of ice for wine and beer were provided during the serving.

Dia Due Supper Club is all we can talk about at work and with our friends. Both the Senora and I have lived in Austin for a long time and we both agree that Dia Due is one of the very best food experiences we have had in Austin. Boggy Creek felt like the prefect setting, it was as if we could have been far away, out in the county living the good life.

Peace and Eat slow.

Trulucks - Austin,TEXAS

After two solid weeks of family and friends living/occupying our home, aka Hotel Asparagus, Senora Foodblog and I were ready for a break and a quiet night all to ourselves. Eager for a good meal, something not too heavy, something not to overwhelming, the Senora narrowed her selection to Trulucks downtown or Mikado, Burnet and 183. Giving me the final choice of restaurants, I chose Trulucks Seafood; fish and crab sounded like the perfect meal to me.

Parking with the valet made life easy, $7, no problem. I have just about given up trying to find any sort of decent parking downtown during the week and have finally succumbed to the idea of just paying to park. We didn't have reservations but immediate seating was available. I was a little surprised to notice, as we made our way into the dinning room, that the bar area was nearly empty. Note to self...good place for after-work drinking.

Having never eaten at Trulucks, the Senora and I found the dinning area both comfortable and inviting. Our smiling server quickly introduced herself and presented us with the menu. Taking our drink order and giving us few moments to review our dining options, she returned and with no mercy at all dropped the "crab bomb" on us. It so happens that Monday is All You Can Eat Jonah Crab Claws including sides, soups and salads for $42 (which is Trulucks usual price for 12 claws, no sides/extras). Oh-My-God, it was on. I am a huge crab fan and couldn't refuse this temptation and neither could Senora Foodblog. Our server tells us that we would each begin with 7 claws and she would continue to bring more as we requested.

I started with the Cream of Pablono soup - $6 (sorry not as good as my home made but still very tasty) while the senora had the Sonoma Greens Salad - $6 (field greens, goat cheese, pecans and sliced apples tossed with a honey vinaigrette). For our sides we shared the braised wild mushrooms, sweet potato fries and the steamed asparagus, which were so good, we had to order a second plate. I then proceeded to eat three servings of crabs and most of Senora's second serving to boot. In all, I guestimate that I ate between sixteen and eighteen scrumptious claws, definitely got my moneys worth. Good lord I was so very full, I thought I would explode. Our total bill for drinks and crab/sides came to, including tip, $132.

Senor Foodblog gives Trulucks two spoons up. What a great meal, service and general atmosphere. The Senora and I both agree that Trulucks is an Austin winner. I haven't eaten that much good seafood in a long time, 10 yrs, while I was working and losing my mind in Alaska. Our server was wonderful and very friendly, ready to answer any and all questions/needs with a smile and prompt service. Check out Truluck's Mondays All-You-Can-Eat, as a crab fan I promise that you won't be disappointed and you too will know the power of the "crab bomb".

Enjoy

Eddie V's Happy Hour - Austin,TEXAS

When I arrived home this past Friday evening, after working one stressed out week, I just was not in the mood to cook dinner. Señora Foodblog had already eaten so I decided to head downtown and visit Eddie V’s oyster happy hour. Parking in downtown Austin has become a joke, some sort of crazy dance that involves driving around for 20mins, hunting, searching every side street until you find that elusive parking spot. To top the situation off, most of the time you end up walking five blocks just to reach you final destination. So, I pulled out the wallet and used the friendly and convenient valet to park the car… $6.

Eddie V’s happy hour is served in the bar, to the left of the front door as you enter the restaurant. Seating has never proved a problem for me at Eddie V’s; Señora Foodblog and I quickly found a table near the bar and ordered some beer and wine. I have never eaten in the main room so I can’t tell you about it but the bar area is a dark haven for overpaid, and some would say, under worked lawyers. Very subdued and crispy clean, this has to be one of my favorite watering holes in Austin.

Oysters are .50 cents each during happy hour – I ordered a dozen. Señora Foodblog doesn’t like the oyster, but she does like the steaming hot bread served with every meal at Eddie V’s. The bread is so good, you have to used some real self control not to eat it all before you receive your food. The menu also offers many items at half price including and not limited to the Maryland Style All Lump Crab Cake , Sliced Vine Ripe Tomatoes & Italian Bufala Mozzarella and Georges Bank Scallops in Tempura. All of which I have tried and all taste great. The best part about the happy hour is that if all you eat is a doz oysters, a happy hour half price appetizer, the free bread and only drink ice tea, your bill should come in under $15…that includes tip. Now Señor Foodblog says that is a craaaazy sweat deal. The oysters this night were clean tasting, not muddy at all, defiantly some of the best in town.

Señor Foodblog says two spoons up for Eddie V’s. Wonderful oysters, great happy hour food specials and the kind of top notch service you would expect from a restaurant of Eddie V’s caliber and reputation. If you are an oyster eater, check this place out. I also understand that Sundays are all day happy hour. This sounds like a prime opportunity to settle into possible seafood frenzy and just maybe find some decent parking without having to pay, to boot.


Austin – 2 locations
Downtown
512 472 1860

Arboretum
512 342 46 26
http://www.eddiev.com/

Koriente - Austin,TEXAS

As downtown is slowly overwhelmed with “Condofication” one of the best side effects has to be the restaurants popping up everywhere. Koriente, 621 E. 7th, with its refreshing landscapes and light fare, certainly adds a new kinda flavor to the I-35/E. 7th Street area. Located right next to the Beauty Bar and just across the street the Creekside Inn and the “Po-po” headquarters, Koriente is hard to miss. The restaurant’s owners personally landscaped the whole surrounding area and turned what was a forgotten, dull patch of cement at the corner of east 7th and Sabine into a wonderful lush garden. It’s really cool.


When we eat at Koriente, the Señora and I have our favorite appetizers. We are both fans of the Smoked Salmon Roll: $4.50 (avocados and smoked salmon, marinated cucumbers) and the Spicy Noodles Salad: $3 (vegetables, chilled myung bean noodles tossed in a spicy Korean pepper dressing).


For our entrees, Señora Foodblog likes the Mixmix Bibimbap: $6 (rice served with colorful julienne vegetables, and one of two sauces: the spicy red pepper paste sauce or the milder wasabi soy sauce). The Señora likes to add spicy chicken bulgoki and mix it all together into one colorful heap. I, on the other hand, like the Kalbi Pot-roast: $8 (beef, carrots and Korean radish simmered in wine, fresh apple and vegetable juices). The pot roast is a surprising amount of food for only $8. Both are served with the house rice, which has an unusual purple look about it. With beer and tea (Koriente has abundance of different teas to choose from), our bill comes to about $30 + tip.


Señor Foodblog says two spoons up of Koriente. The place has that groovy Austin feel that I dig so much. I really like the spring chairs a lot. While the service is usually really good, I have been in the restaurant when it is busy, so table service can be slow at times. But that’s ok with the Señora and I, we just like to read our Chronicles, sip our drinks and enjoy the garden while watching people walk on by. Make certain you visit Koriente’s website, the restaurant keeps different hours and closes during the day for a few hours.

Koriente
621 E. 7th Street.
Austin,Texas
512 275-0852
http://www.koriente.com/location.html

Ben's Long Branch BBQ - Austin, TEXAS

I am just not happy. I thought I was on a neighborhood roll. Most of the restaurants around my little eastside Austin home have proved to be good if not great …East Side Pies, Gene’s and Taqueria Chapala just to name a few. So when I went to Ben’s BBQ, it was like someone kicking me in the gut...literally. Located on the corner of 11th and Branch, Ben’s is easy to find with plenty of parking both behind and on the street.
Now, I took the time to read some online reviews and most were written before 2002 or just after Ben came back from his early retirement in 2004. I guess the folks that had leased the joint between 2002 and 2004 attempted to run the restaurant into the ground, and very nearly succeeded. But now that Ben’s back, business has picked up and things seem to be running well. So, when I read a Dale’s Table blog post from 2004 with Dale recommending the pork butt …what is a carrot to do but dive right in and go for the recommended best.

Before I go any further, I must tell you that I went back twice and tried the pork butt both times. I felt that I just had to be fair and make certain that I was not mistaken with my first experience. Señora Foodblog didn’t encourage this, but I had to just know for certain if my gut feeling was mistaken. I know that Andrew Zimmerman (Bizare Foods) would agree with me.
On my first visit, I thought the pork was great, juicy and smoky good. I even liked the sauce, which was thin and yet had great flavor. Sadly about three hours after my lunch I got very sick. Bad stomach cramps...need I say more. Ok I thought, maybe something else got me. Among my friends, I am known for a cast-iron stomach…I eat everything. That’s why I am a Food Adventurer.
The second time I visited Ben’s, the place was full with the lunch time meat-eating mob. I even spotted Bob Cole from the Sam and Bob Show lurking in the crowd. He too was at Ben’s for the pork (you are welcome to make your own jokes at this time). Anyway, I again got the Pork Butt plate to go and headed home to eat in the peace of my little house. OK, the pork was dry, and tasted like bacon. Gross! Very sad…I can cook better BBQ than this. I was very disappointed indeed. And while I write this, I am hoping that I don’t get sick and command a repeat performance of my first visit. The Pork Butt plate with 2 sides, bread plus tax… $8.65.

Señor Foodblog says One Spoon Down. Sorry guys, the pork butt is a no-no for me. I can’t remember such bad BBQ, or getting sick after eating at a BBQ place. Not even in Alabama (land of the worst BBQ in the world) did I get sick or dislike the meat so much. I am certain that I will go back to Ben’s and try the brisket and sausage in the not-to-distant future. I am just a little frightened off Ben’s for now. I think I will stick with Sam’s BBQ or Lewis’ as my regular eastside BBQ stops. Sorry Ben, I tried twice.

Ben's Long Branch BBQ
900 E. 11th Street.
Austin, TEXAS
512 477 2516

Gene's New Orleans Style Poboys & Deli - Austin,TEXAS

Never fear – your Orange Food Avenger is back and ready to eat. After a short time off, I am again ready to travel the food super-highway, seeking tasty treats, great service and easy parking. And what better place to start but one of East Austin’s corner-stone eateries, Gene’s New Orleans Style Poboys & Deli, located on the corner of East 11th and Rosewood, next door to the Long Branch. Parking is not a problem, with a lot in the back and plenty of room on the side of the street.

To tell you the truth, recently I have found myself addicted to the cold Roast Beef Poboy, small orders of fries and a can of icy cold root beer for only $7.40. Not a bad deal indeed. The large sandwich is served on a crusty French style loaf with pickles and some sort of crazy secret voodoo spread. Wooo, oh yea baby, this food make me a happy carrot. But Gene’s has a lot more to offer than just sandwiches. As a matter of fact, Gene’s may be one of the very last Blue Plate Specials served in Austin. Smothered pork chops, jambalaya, red beans and sausage and home made fried chicken (cooked without the skin) only add to this restaurant’s loyal and dedicated following. Gene tells me that he thinks he may be one of the only places around to serve Fried Chicken on demand, and man is the chicken good. The best part about eating at Gene’s is that you never know who will be sitting at the table next you…maybe even the Governor of Texas… Mr. Rick Perry.

Gene also tells me that he plans to add a second floor to the space. Rumor has it that Kevin and the guys at the Long Branch may also be thinking the same thing. Hmmmm…

Two Spoons up. I just love Gene’s. The chicken, oysters, sandwiches and the green beans are just wonderful. Now if I had to say any thing bad about Gene’s, it’s that it is a small operation and orders move slowly, for some this may be a bad thing but I always give myself a little extra time when I plan a visit. Check out the web site for complete listings of the Blue Plate and do yourself a favor, try the chicken.

Gene’s
1209 E.11th
Austin,TEXAS
512 477 6600 – Phone orders welcome
www.genesrestaurant.com

School of Fish - Austin,TEXAS

As part of my Valentines Day present, Senora Foodblog (working in conjunction with her motley crew of Champagne drinkers) decided to take “we husbands” to Whole Foods Culinary Center for a gourmet cooking demonstration. The dinner chosen by my lovely wife was School of Fish with Chef Sam Dickey (former head chef of 7 on S. Congress). Man, was I excited, a hot date with my baby, sampling good food and maybe just a glass of wine or two.

Joined by our good friends, the Best Dressed Couple, our evening again started at Hotel San Jose. Boy, that place fills up fast. We arrived right at 5pm and within what seemed like just moments every table and chair was full. Senora Foodblog and the Best Dressed immediately ordered a bottle of Prosseco while I chose Samuel Smiths Porter. With some time to kill, I decided to order the small cheese platter. Good stuff, lots of cheese, bread, grapes and olives both green and black.

After the second bottle of bubbly was finished, it was time for us to head on down to Whole Foods. Sometimes, timing is just right. Can you believe it, I found parking in front of Whole Foods...amazing.

The demo started promptly at 6:30pm. Our group, finally complete with the addition of Mrs. German and the Lady in Green, found our tables and awaited the demo to start. The menu presented was just crazy good. Chef Dickey is a master of what he does.

Crisp Lobster on Lotus Chips w/ Wild Mushrooms, Micro Greens, and Roasted Jalapeno Hollandaise

Baby Vegetable and Bay Scallop Panzanella

Seared Turbot on Fried Green Tomatoes w/ Black Bean Pasilla Sauce and Avocados

Blueberry – Strawberry Shortcake

The meal was exquisite; it’s hard to put it into words. The lobster was so tasty and the fried green tomatoes, a first for me, were just divine. The folks sitting behind us had no problem letting everyone it the room know that they thought it was the best meal they had ever had. Senora Foodblog is already making plans to attend another demo in the near future. If you want more info about Whole Foods Culinary Classes just visit the web site: wholefoodsmarket.com and do keep in mind that the classes are limited in size and will sell out.

Have a good week all and eat well.

Marco Polo Restaurant ( Dim Sum) - Austin,TEXAS

“Originally a Cantonese custom, dim sum is inextricably linked to the Chinese tradition of "yum cha" or drinking tea. Teahouses sprung up to accommodate weary travelers journeying along the famous Silk Road. Rural farmers, exhausted after long hours working in the fields, would also head to the local teahouse for an afternoon of tea and relaxing conversation.”…. Rhonda Parkinson

Invited by Polyurethane, Cherry Bomb roller-girl exstordinaire, and The Grip for Sunday Dim Sum at Marco Polo Restaurant, how could we refuse? It has been a long time since I last dined on good dim sum, and for Senora Foodblog, her first time. I wasn’t certain what to expect but both Poly and The Grip had assured us we were in for a special treat. Located at Oltorf and I-35, Marco Polo is easy to find. Parking is not an issue.

We arrived around 10:50am to a line already forming. Show up early, or expect to have to wait for a table. After we were sat and our drink orders were taken, carts full of dim sum began to circulate the room. Now I am no expert, and the names of the items…I just don’t know, so I will do my best to describe what we ate and what we saw. Ready…

Dumplings: Shrimp, pork and combinations including mushrooms and leeks
Meat stuffed rolls much like kolaches
Noodles of all types: fried, soft, or stuffed with beef and chicken
Exotics: Jellyfish, pig ear
Small fried egg roll type items
Pork spare ribs
Shrimp balls, tuna
And many unusual looking desserts.

When we finally finished our feast and walked away from the table, I felt overwhelmed by the amount of food I had eaten. Every thing was really good. And as we left the building, the line was still there, with a lot of folks trying to get some of the dim sum action.

Senor Foodblog gives Marco Polo two spoons up. Guys, the food was wonderful. Different and a great change from the standard Chinese fare served around Austin. The servers were friendly and happy to answer any questions about the food and even give a little history about what you are eating. As I mentioned, get to Marco Polo Restaurant early if possible, as you will encounter a line. Be open to try some new flavors, I didn’t even begin to scratch the dim sum surface with my food list above, but I promise that you won’t be disappointed.

Marco Polo Restaurant
2200 S. I-36
512 445 5563

Hotel San Jose - Austin,TEXAS

First Thursday, how could I have forgotten! Parking was a bear; I ended up getting a ticket, parking next to a stop sign. Ouch…another $20 donation to the city. Once we arrived at the Hotel San Jose things got a lot better.

Senora Foodblog went straight for the Prosecco (Italian bubbly) while I enjoyed a cold Samuel Smiths. The wine pours are huge. This made the Senora very pleased indeed and when she is happy...you know I am happy, too. Suddenly distracted from my beautiful bride, out of the corner of my eye I noticed what looked like the largest cheese platter I have ever seen. I checked the menu and yes, the San Jose offers $12/$18 cheese platters. I asked our server and she told me that the serving I saw was the $18 platter. Wow…I would be guessing but it looked like a good lb. of cheese with a loaf of bread; not bad for this town. Our total came to $20 with tip.

We made our way down to Vespaio for dinner. As to be expected, we had to wait for our table. We chose to avoid the bar area; it was packed solid with no room to breathe. As we were seated our server brought out three kinds of bread and a puree of cannellini beans. If you are a hummus fan, then you will just die for the white bean puree. For our drinks, the Senora chose the house Chianti while I decided to stick with water. No appetizers, just two small Caesar salads and a little hand-holding. For our main courses, the senora had the Margherita Pizza and I had the Spaghetti Carbonara.

The pizza was thin with a crispy bite, wonderful fresh tomatoes and tasty cheese. The Spaghetti Carbonara is just the best in town. The flavor is fantastic, creamy and decadent, served with a cheese crisp and a poached egg on top. For desert I had the profiterole with gelato & cherry compote. God was smiling at me. Three small puff pasties with vanilla gelato inside, each covered with chocolate fudge, surrounded by cherries. Our meal was so good, I wouldn’t mind having it again tonight. Our total came to $68 + Tip.

Senor Foodblog gives First Thursday two spoons up. I thought we did very well, except for the traffic ticket. As with all street events, one just has to be patient and expect to wait for ...everything. The Hotel San Jose is just cool as hell. I’m going back, but on an off night for the cheese platter. Vespaio is the best restaurant on Congress, maybe in town. The food is a little pricey compared to most, but the service and attention to detail truly make the experience worth it. Peace.

Hotel San Jose
1316 S. Congress
http://www.sanjosehotel.com/

Vespaio
1610 S.Congress
512 441 7672