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/

Sullivan's Steakhouse - Austin,TEXAS

We didn't want to fuss, so Señora Foodblog and I decided to enjoy a nice, expensive dinner with Austin 's own Sullivan's Steakhouse, conveniently located in Austin 's thriving Warehouse district. This day, parking was not a consideration. I can say, with much happiness, that most of downtown was empty. The streets were very quit. This was a welcome flashback to old Austin , when you could go anywhere and find a good place to park, without some jerk standing in the street, directing traffic, so his little buddy can have decent parking. The valet was happy to park our car as we made our way into the restaurant.

We had reservations for 6:30pm and with a few mins to spare, we made our way to the bar. Señora Foodblog ordered a Chocolate martini while I had Sullivan's Mojito. The choc martini made Señora Foodblog very happy. The martini was not only tasty but really pretty with choc swirl designs on the glass.

Getting hungry, it was time to head to the main eating area. After another glass a wine and one more mojito, we got down to the hard work of ordering our dinner. Sullivan's operates like a lot of upscale restaurants. Your main dish is ordered separately from your sides. For our starters, we tried the Seared Ahi Tuna and Iced Jumbo Shrimp Cocktail. Both were great. The shrimp were large and fresh, while the tuna, which came with a spicy mustard sauce, was to die for. To boot, our server also brought us a Hot Loaf of Bread and each of us an Iceberg Lettuce Wedge with Blue Cheese Dressing Salad. The lettuce and bread come as comp with every meal.

Señora Foodblog went with the Small Filet Mignon 8 oz and I had the New York Strip 16 oz for our main courses. Our sides: enormous Onion Rings, Au Gratin Potatoes and Sautéed Spinach with Garlic were top notch. I love the au gratin potatoes, I wish my home cooked would turn out as well. Both of the steaks were cooked to perfection and tender like butter. The meal was so darn good, Señora Foodblog had to stop me from licking my plate….just kidding, I only lick the plate at home, never in public. We passed on the dessert and settled for some coffee instead.

Señor Foodblog gives Sullivan's two spoons up. Ok, what can I say, the steaks were fantastic as was the service, drinks and the back ground music. I am a huge fan of Sullivan's and will always recommend. Exactly how much did this cost you may ask. Well, keep in mind that Sullivan's is one of Austin 's best steakhouses and its location is the heart of trendy downtown. With tip our meal cost $210 and worth ever penny.

Sullivan's Steakhouse
300 Colorado
512 495 6504
http://www.sullivansteakhouse.com/