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Maiko : 4 of 5
1.16.2006 8:14 PM \| Link	I love trying new restaurants, so I'm hoping to go out to eat more this year as part of my resolution. My pals Chris & Eliza like to eat out, too, so we went together to a new Japanese-fusion restaurant called Maiko (which I saw in a cool print ad). This is definitely a trendy place with modern styling - most of the walls are brick, but there are a few walls and hallways where solid aqua paint is used (which looks cool at night, but might be weird in the daylight). They also have quality comfy chairs, small television screens set into the mirror in the bathroom, and a live DJ spinning on his PowerBook. The food starts with a Japanese feel, but then the chef pretty much does whatever he wants. In this case, that's a good thing, because the food was really incredible! We had the Maiko Tower for an appetizer, which combined tuna, salmon, and wasabi mayo into an amazing flavor. My main course was green tea soba with shrimp and scallops - the soba was really unique, and I think those scallops may have been the best I've ever tasted. Eliza had a sushi roll that was tasty, but I thought the consistency was a little mushy. Chris and I drank two small chilled pitchers of Napa Sake, which is sake from California - I didn't even know it existed, but it definitely had a fantastic, refreshing taste. I'd love to go back and try some other dishes! Labels: restaurants
Baby Acapulco : 3 of 5
10.08.2005 2:35 PM \| Link	Mom is a margarita fan (and so am I), so I usually try to take my parents to a new margarita place when they visit. I've only been to the Baby A's off of I-35 a couple of times, but since they opened a new location close by (in the same building where Bahama Breeze used to be), I thought it would be fun. We went during Friday happy hour, so the margaritas were fantastic for the cheap price! There were tons of folks outside, and it looks like they have built additional decks to hold everyone. Inside the decor is pretty much the same as it used to be, with tons of tropical colors. They don't have the usual combo I like to get when I eat Mexican food (one enchilada and one crispy taco), but Dad and I split a taco plate and an enchilada plate, so we got exactly what we wanted, and Mom had her usual taco salad (although it was way bigger than she's used to!). I think the Tex-Mex flavor is better at Chuy's, but the spice level was right for Dad (which means hardly any). We decided to order sopapillas for dessert (since Mom & Dad are used to getting them for free at their local restaurant), and they were really delicious, since they come with a couple of scoops of cinnamon-vanilla ice cream! It was a great meal, and the drinks were definitely nice for the amazing price! Labels: restaurants
Sherlock's : 3 of 5
10.06.2005 10:27 PM \| Link	I always try to find a few new places to eat when my parents visit, so I decided to give Sherlock's a try while they were here (since I had seen the sign peeking out over 183 for a long time!). I really liked the atmosphere right away - of course, it's decorated just like you would imagine a stereotypical English pub would be, but I thought they did a great job combining lots of dark wood with stone-looking walls. They have a pretty good selection of beers on tap, including Boddingtons, which is just about my favorite English beer (I've loved it since tasting it in the United Kingdom pavilion at Epcot!), and I don't think very many spots in Austin have it available. Dad and I had fish and chips, which were really tasty, and they have a lunch portion which turned out to be just the right size. Mom had a turkey, bacon and Swiss sandwich, plus a salad, and it looked pretty good, too. It was kind of empty while we were there - I think it might be fun some evening to see it full of people drinking and having a good time. I definitely enjoyed this little "slice of Epcot", so I wouldn't mind going back for another pint! Labels: restaurants
Louie's 106 : 4 of 5
4.11.2005 6:28 PM \| Link	I've been to Louie's many, many times, but I checked my archives and I've never given it a review, so here it goes. Last weekend I ate here with my pals Chris & Eliza, and we ordered off the tapas menu, which is definitely the way to go. They have a great variety of both hot and cold tapas, and we ordered about seven or eight of them to make a meal for three. You also get delicious bread, which made it a big meal! I love their asparagus, and their fresh mozzarella is quite amazing. When you order a bunch of tapas, they bring them out "family style" on one huge plate, so everyone can just pick around on them and eat whatever they like. We got a bottle of cheap Chilean Merlot, which was so-so tasting, but definitely worked as far as getting tipsy goes. The restaurant itself is at a great location downtown on 6th Street, but close to Congress so you're well out of the crazy bar scene. The inside is comfortable, with two levels of tables and bathrooms on a third lower level. I've always had a good meal here, and it's a fun place to go with friends if you're willing to blow a little dough (although when you buy tapas it becomes pretty reasonable!). Labels: restaurants
Cozymel's : 3 of 5
4.04.2005 10:07 PM \| Link	Since this place opened up in the Arboretum a long time ago, I've driven past it hundreds of times. I thought about taking my parents there during their recent visit, since it looked kind of cool and Mom and I like to drink margaritas together. My parents and I didn't make it, but I ate there with my pal Melinda recently, and it was pretty good. I had my tried and true standard for Mexican restaurants - one crunchy beef taco and one cheese enchilada. I was really suprised that the enchilada was so spicy (I think it was the sauce) - I loved the taste, but it's a good thing my Dad didn't try it! The taco was really good, too - they have a choice of beef, which is great since I don't really like shredded beef in my Mexican food. The rice was nice, too - not Tex-Mex at all, and the beans were fine. The decor is pretty standard, but it seemed a little weird since the place was practically empty - it made the service fast, but I like things a little more hopping. The best thing was after dinner they bring you white chocolate and pecan "tamales". They're pretty small after you unwrap them, but tasty! I doubt I'll make an effort to go there again, but if any of my pals feel like trying it, I wouldn't mind eating there. Labels: restaurants
Cool River Cafe : 3 of 5
3.29.2005 6:17 PM \| Link	This was definitely an unexpected experience! I swear I had heard the name Cool River Cafe used in the same sentence with the phrases "fun place" and "happy hour". So, my parents and I showed up in casual attire and quickly realized this was a full-blown crumb-scraper restaurant! (As you know, the really fancy places scrape your crumbs away between courses!) We decided to tough it out, and I enjoyed the rich settings, with giant paintings and blazing fireplaces. Our waiter told us about a wine "special", so I ordered semi-expensive glasses for Mom and I. It was much better than I expected - I'll have to drink Pine Ridge Chardonnay on my own sometime! I had mahi, which was prepared with a kind of tomato sauce, bacon, and shrimp - really delicious, but not very light. Dad had some nice chicken, and Mom had a salad consisting of half a head of iceberg lettuce. Even though we were looking for a different kind of dinner, we still had a good time. I really enjoyed the wine and my meal, I just have to remember what to expect if I go back again! Labels: restaurants
Cheddar's Casual Cafe : 3 of 5
3.26.2005 8:10 PM \| Link	While my parents were in town, I decided to try out a few new restaurants (I usually take them to places I've previously tested). I think I've driven by Cheddar's at least a hundred times, since it's right on 183, close to my Acura dealer and on the way to Lakeline Mall where I like to walk. This is definitely a fairly average Americana place, and not much stood out from the decor, except a cool rotating palm fan that fills the ceiling of the main room (we didn't get to sit under it, though). There's a lot on the menu, but the one thing everything has in common is the size - this place serves gigantic plates of food (which means you get gigantically full). I had a nice club sandwich, piled too high with meat, but it had this really yummy kind of mint peppercorn jelly on the bread. It was an unexpected taste, but I loved it (I still ate the bread and jelly when I was too full for the second half of the sandwich). My Mom had the veggie plate, and Dad had chicken strips, which were huge. The beer selection was pretty dismal, so I had a Mohito, which was pretty tasty (with sugar around the glass). I probably won't make a point of going back, but I'd tag along if someone else was going. Labels: restaurants
Hole in the Wall : 3 of 5
3.24.2005 6:03 PM \| Link	I've been to the original Hole in the Wall downtown before, but truthfully I didn't even know they served food (maybe the downtown location is only a bar). My pal Ryan goes to the one in Round Rock and loves it, so we went to the North Austin location with my pal Barron. The specialty is giant burgers - the smallest size they have is a half-pound! I've always shied away from the half-pounders at Fuddruckers, but I soon discovered that I can actually put away one of these babies (though I was full for hours afterward). My favorite thing they have is homemade chips, which taste super-fresh and yummy (and remind me of my Mom's chips, but not as good, of course). The only thing I didn't like was the decor. It's small place with simple tables and chairs that look like they came from Wal-Mart, and everything else is just the usual bar setting (beer lights and so on). But I guess the food speaks for itself, although I probably won't visit here a lot since the half-pounder is a big job! Every now and then you just need to get stuffed, though! Labels: restaurants
Fuddruckers : 4 of 5
5.06.2004 8:02 PM \| Link	I kind of remember when Fuddruckers first opened when I lived in Oklahoma, and of course everyone loved to mispronounce the name. I first ate at Fuddruckers in Austin because my pal Shelly used to like it, so we ate there together a few times. For some reason, it slipped through my reviewer's fingers, but my pal Ryan and I ate at a brand new Fuddruckers recently (next to Lakeline Mall), so it's time to tell you what I think. The food is pretty darn good - burgers from 1/3 pound (the baby) all the way to one full pound. Their fries are like potato wedges and are nicely seasoned, and their chocolate shakes are the real thing. Plus, they give you the "extra" from the shake-maker machine, so it's like two shakes in one (I love it when places do that!). I would say the food is a strong 3 rating, but this new Fuddruckers gets a 4 because the interior is so cool! There are lots of semi-themed areas to sit in, with lots of different kinds of chairs - everything from wooden stools to full plush living room seating. We ate in a Tiki-themed place, under a thatched roof - Mikey's likes neato decor! Labels: restaurants
Uchi : 3 of 5
3.15.2004 7:25 PM \| Link	I went to Uchi for the first time with a group of pals for Chris' 30th birthday, and we all had a great time. The place was pretty crowded on a Saturday night, but all the people just added to the atmosphere, which is upscale, but comfortable. I was expecting typical Japanese food, but the menu is full of fusion cuisine - there are some pretty bizarre dishes on the menu (compared to a regular Japanese restaurant). That's my main negative - there was hardly an Asian in the place, and everything has been yuppie-ized (they even have the nerve to call things like grilled asparagus yakitori, which means grilled chicken!). However, the food itself was pretty amazing - I was quite surprised! Everything was delicious - I even enjoyed sushi in rice paper, though I usually prefer nori. They also have a nice sake selection, with mostly cold sake served in a wooden box. The food is definitely a 4, but the the un-Japaneseness gets a 2, so my rating has to be a 3. Labels: restaurants
Chez Zee : 3 of 5
2.23.2004 10:56 PM \| Link	I pass by Chez Zee on the way to one of my band rehearsals, and I had long thought this would be a nice place to take my parents. I remember eating lunch there about four years ago, but of course, I have no idea what I ate or what was on the menu, but I decided we should go anyway. The atmosphere is really fun, since there are Christmas lights everywhere you look. We were seated on a converted patio with gas space heaters - these were kind of a pain, since it was either too hot or too cold, but it wasn't that bad. I loved the before-meal bread, which is perfect for dipping in olive oil. I had the pecan-encrusted chicken, which had a fantastic thick sauce, plus rice pilaf and veggies. My parents had a burger and chicken strips, which were pretty simple, but they certainly enjoyed them. Not a bad restaurant for a special occasion or every now and then. Labels: restaurants
La Madeleine : 3 of 5
2.16.2004 5:59 PM \| Link	Whenever my parents visit Austin, I try to take them to several restaurants they haven't been to, so one day we had lunch at La Madeleine. I've had tons of lunches here, because it's a good place to go when I'm feeling like I need something healthy. I love their field greens salad with salmon - it's huge, but it's so good that I always manage to eat it all. Mom enjoyed her quiche - the crust was really flaky and wonderful, and Dad liked his ham sandwich on croissant (and I ate part of it, too, so I know it was good!). La Madeleine gets really busy sometimes - usually the line moves fast, but it does get a little crazy in the dining area every now and then. It's not the cheapest lunch in town, but I have to give in to a salad craving whenever I have one, just because it's good for me! Labels: restaurants
Culver's : 3 of 5
2.09.2004 12:17 PM \| Link	Every time I drive to my class at Austin Community College, I pass by Culver's. At first, I had no idea what it was, because the sign says "Frozen Custard Butterburgers", which sounded like one weird item to me. Of course, those are two different things you can get at Culver's, which reminds me a lot of Braum's that I used to enjoy in Oklahoma. They have great hamburgers, but much more is on the menu - lots of different kinds of sandwiches, and chilli in a breadbowl (which I'll have to try next time). I got a BBQ bacon cheeseburger, which was unusual, but tasty! Their custard (which I discovered is ice cream mixed with egg yolks) is fantastic - it really is creamier than regular ice cream. I had the "turtle" flavor, which has caramel and chocolate shavings, and it was super yummy! Next I time I need something fattening, I know where to go. Labels: restaurants
Hoover's Cooking : 3 of 5
10.04.2003 12:20 PM \| Link	I used to drive by Hoover's every week for two and half years on the way to Day Jobs rehearsal, but I had never eaten there until recently, when I went with Ernesto and his mom. The place was packed, but service was still pretty speedy, and everyone was having a good time and enjoying themselves. The menu has lots of comfort food items, kind of like Threadgill's (but no fried okra!), so I ordered the CFS (which every Texan knows is Chicken Fried Steak), plus mashed potatoes (with skins, of course) and macaroni and cheese, to complete the "total starch plate". The CFS was really good, but the macaroni wasn't so great (and I'm a big macaroni and cheese fan!). We didn't have desert, but they didn't have banana pudding anyway, so who cares? Hoover's is a pretty good place for a fun, casual meal. Labels: restaurants
Wiki Wiki Teriyaki : 3 of 5
7.30.2003 12:23 PM \| Link	I eat a lot of lunches at the Arboretum, usually at Thundercloud Subs (because they have the best tuna!). A new food-on-the-go place opened not too long ago called Wiki Wiki Teriyaki, but every time I thought I would try it, I was lured into Thundercloud right across the way. I finally ate there recently with Chris, Barron and Ryan, and it was pretty good. I had a rice bowl with chicken, which was really tasty and filling. They serve some good stuff like gyoza and even tonkatsu, which I'll have to try some day. The restaurant smelled a little funny, kind of like burnt rice, but it wasn't overpowering - maybe it was just a bad day. I guess I'll go back when I can resist the call of the sub! Labels: restaurants
Malaga : 4 of 5
12:22 PM \| Link	Most restaurants in the warehouse district are pretty darn good, and Malaga is no exception. I went here with my friend Pam for tapas and wine, and everything was yummy. The food was really good, and the portions were pretty large for tapas - we couldn't even finish the calamari! The empanadas and artichoke dip were fantastic, too. I especially liked the wine selection, which they show off via their "wine flights", which are like mini-tastings. You get three partial glasses of wine for about $7.00 from various parts of the world, such as South America or Spain - it's a great deal and fun to taste different wines, and it's the perfect compliment to tapas. The interior was pretty simple, nothing spectacular, but the food more than makes up for that. Labels: restaurants
Zuni Grill / San Antonio : 3 of 5
5.11.2003 12:25 PM \| Link	My pal Mark from bell choir and I ate at this comfortable riverwalk restaurant in San Antonio for one reason only - the hostess claimed that their margaritas were rated "number one" by the Travel Channel. I haven't checked up on that fact, but I can tell you that the ritas are definitely tasty and nice and large. They go extremely well with relaxing next to the river, watching the tour boats and folks strolling by. The food was pretty good - nothing amazing, though I did really enjoy the sauce on the enchiladas, which was spicier than I expected, but not too spicy!. As far as decor goes, you have the riverwalk, so nothing else is needed! Labels: restaurants
Siena : 5 of 5
3.23.2003 12:29 PM \| Link	I didn't even know this restaurant existed until I received a generous gift certificate, so I thought I would try it out while my parents were here to visit. The restaurant itself is beautiful, styled as an Italian villa with several rooms, including a large two story central area. The food was really wonderful - Dad and I shared a huge 32 ounce steak with nice potatoes and spinach, and Mom had a great looking salmon dish. I really enjoyed everything, from the field green salad to the bottle of wine we had (I've loved Sterling Chardonnay since visiting the vineyard many years ago). We shared gelato for dessert, which had a great combination of sweet sauce and vinegar. Siena is expensive (if you don't have a gift certificate), but I would say it's well worth it. Labels: restaurants
Cheesecake Factory : 4 of 5
12:28 PM \| Link	Although I mourned the loss of the Arbor Cinema, I think the Cheesecake Factory is pretty nice. I wouldn't call it a spectacular restaurant, but I like the kind of theme park grandure of it, with the weird Egyptian influences, Roman columns, and Renaissance look all at the same time. All of the food I've tried there has been pretty good, but I think my favorite so far is the Cobb salad. The cheesecake is excellent, of course, and huge, just like everything else on the menu. Speaking of the menu, it's pages and pages long, so it's fun to keep trying new things. I haven't been overly impressed with the service, and it's not a gourmet experience, but something about the place pulls me away from reality, and that's fun. Labels: restaurants
Saba Blue Water Cafe : 4 of 5
2.27.2003 12:30 PM \| Link	My pal Eliza suggested this place when I was decided on where to go out for my birthday, and I really enjoyed it. The interior is very cool, with dark areas surrounded by cool bright lights, and they have lots of great drinks, including several types of Mohitos, which I loved! We didn't eat a full dinner, but the appetizers were great - especially the calamari, which was nice and salty. The waitresses were nice, and they brought me an excellent creme brulee for a birthday dessert! I don't do much drinking downtown, but I wouldn't mind going here again. Labels: restaurants
Manny Hattan's : 3 of 5
11.17.2002 12:31 PM \| Link	Since I just returned from New York City, it was fun going to the new "New York deli" in Austin. My pal Ryan and I went for lunch, since it's right there with our favorite lunchtime shopping (Best Buy), and we totally pigged out on sandwiches. I had a tuna melt with bacon that was especially good (it reminded me of Canter's deli in LA), and Ryan had a huge roast beef sandwich (I couldn't believe he finished it!). We both had sides of fries, which was a mistake - the sandwich alone was more than enough. The atmosphere is just barely cool - there's a giant wall mural of NYC icons, but not much else. The main reason Manny Hattan's gets a 3 is the price - these are expensive sandwiches. It won't keep me from going back, but an "upscale deli" is kind of an oxymoron. Labels: restaurants
Waterloo Ice House : 3 of 5
9.27.2002 12:33 PM \| Link	There's nothing like a great burger (you know, not like McDonalds, though I like Happy Meals like they were their own food group). I used to love eating burgers at Hang Town Grill, but sadly, they closed. So, now the best "real" burger is found at Waterloo Ice House - they really taste great, and they chop up the lettuce and onions just like Hang Town used to! The bacon cheeseburger is really good, and the fries are awesome. They have tons of beers, too, but I usually only go for lunch - however, they do have bottles of Big Red! Labels: restaurants
Buffet Palace : 2 of 5
12:32 PM \| Link	I'm not a big fan of buffets - I usually never eat enough to justify the price, and there's always so many dishes I don't like. There are three Buffet Palaces in Austin - the one close to me looks pretty skanky, but my pals Chris and Eliza wanted to try out a new one close to them, and it was pretty good. The decor was really cool and clean, especially for a buffet, and the food was tasty - nothing spectacular, but I enjoyed the Lo Mein, plus they had some good Korean food like Dae's mom makes. I doubt I'll go back, but it was a good time anyway. Labels: restaurants
Subway : 3 of 5
9.07.2002 12:34 PM \| Link	I know, I know - there are tons of better sub shops out there. In fact, I would much rather go to Thundercloud Subs if I'm planning on a tuna sub, but for some reason, I like Subway better for the turkey. My usual is a 6-inch turkey on wheat, with lettuce, tomato, pickles, and black olives, plus spicy mustard and a little black pepper. I typically get the Baked Lays chips and drink water. Pretty standard lunch, but it's fast if I want to grab one on the way home for a midday swim! Labels: restaurants
Einstein Bros. Bagels : 3 of 5
12:33 PM \| Link	Guess I've decided to add fast-food to my restaurant reviews - why not? I like to treat myself to an Einstein Bros. lunch every couple weeks or so. My favorite is the Tasty Turkey, which I get on a poppyseed bagel, with yummy cucumbers, tomatoes, and even sprouts. I've also had their chicken caesar salad, which is almost good for two meals. Their coffee is pretty good, too - it's nice and strong, but still has some great flavor. And I always look forward to their huge peanut butter cookies - oh yeah! Labels: restaurants
Bahama Breeze : 4 of 5
9.02.2002 12:35 PM \| Link	I've eaten at Bahama Breeze several times, but since I just ate there again, I guess I should finally review it. This restaurant appeals to me because it's truly themed, almost to Disney-style specs - everything is tropical, from the huge moving fans, the music, and even the wait staff are called "tour guides". The outdoor bar is fun, and I'm totally in love with the giant onion rings stacked a mile high (they make a nice mohito, too!). The dinner food is pretty nice - not spectacular, but great for a change of pace. I've enjoyed several dishes, and I'm sure I'll be back for several more. Labels: restaurants
Ninfa's : 4 of 5
8.19.2002 12:36 PM \| Link	Ninfa's has been around forever, it seems - they even have three locations in Austin. Whenever I want Mexican food, I usually want "more Tex than Mex", so I just end up at Chuy's or something similar. Recently my friend Jennifer suggested we go to Ninfa's for lunch, and I'm glad I gave it a try! While they don't have my usual combo (one cheese enchilada, one crispy taco) on the menu, I was able to substitute things for a similar set of food, which was really good. The most interesting thing is the green salsa, which tastes kind of fruity and creamy at the same time - it's extremely addictive! Labels: restaurants
Marie Callander's : 4 of 5
6.12.2002 12:37 PM \| Link	The only reason Marie Callander's gets a rating of 4 is the pie - they have absolutely fantastic, wonderfully terrible for you, incredibly yummy pies! The trick to eating here is not getting too stuffed on the meal, because the pie will do you in (and you can't eat here without having pie). The food itself is pretty good (I would give it a 3), but everything is so heavy - there's no way around it. Even the club sandwich I recently had was overloaded with huge, butter-grilled bread that made the sandwich overwhelming (but it made for good leftovers). Mikey's favorite pie there is coconut cream - there's no way to beat it! Labels: restaurants
Habana : 3 of 5
6.10.2002 12:38 PM \| Link	I've really only had Cuban food once before (at Bongo's in Downtown Disney), so I'm certainly not an expert, but I recently had a nice meal at Habana with my pals Chris and Tom. I ordered a kind of sandwich made with fried plantain (instead of bread) stuffed with both pork and ham, plus cheese. It was really tasty, but a little too beefy for me - I couldn't finish it. I tried some things from my pals' plates, and I really enjoyed this fantastic stuffed potato, and some really yummy empanadas - now I know what to order next time! The service was fantastic and the decor was laid back and fun - I'm sure I'll go back eventually. Labels: restaurants
Iron Cactus : 3 of 5
12:38 PM \| Link	My pal Ryan and I eat a lot of lunches together, and we're always trying to go somewhere new. We finally went to Iron Cactus for lunch - both of us had been there before separately, but I had forgotten what it was like. We ate on the patio, where we were the only two people there! We had a crazy gal waiting on us who talked about the wealthy regulars and their fancy cars - she was fun. I had a nice club sandwich with tortilla soup, plus a fairly good margarita (which always makes lunch fun). Nothing spectacular, but it was a great time sitting outdoors and enjoying the noontime weather. Labels: restaurants
Macaroni Grill : 3 of 5
5.05.2002 12:40 PM \| Link	I've eaten quite a few lunches here with my friend Jennifer, but I never got around to reviewing this place. My first Macaroni experience was in Tulsa, where I thought it was very cool - I loved the cheap chianti and everyone thought it was great that the bathrooms have the opposite sex posted on the door when you're leaving. As far as Austin goes, there are some good dishes here and easy lunch specials, but I wouldn't call it spectacular, since there are so many other great restaurants to choose from. But for lunch, they are pretty fast and tasty - their bread dipped in olive oil is the best part of the meal. Labels: restaurants
Carlos 'N Charlies : 4 of 5
12:39 PM \| Link	First let me say that this WEBmikey rating isn't for the food, which is OK, but not the reason that I like this place. I mainly go to Carlos 'N Charlies for the view and the atmosphere - it sits right on Lake Travis (complete with it's own dock), and you can sit in the open air and watch the lake and spot all kinds of interesting folks in their expensive boats. The whole place is super cheesy-tropical, but that's why I like it - being there really feels like I'm on vacation! Even when it's crowded it feels laid back, and the margaritas (which are very tasty but a little weak) help to move that feeling along. Labels: restaurants
Razzoo's : 1 of 5
6.05.2001 12:42 PM \| Link	My pal Ryan and I decided to try this over-boistrous Cajun place close to the office, but I won't be going back. The decor is silly with lots of those "cute" misspellings on the menu, but otherwise comfortable at least. I had a fried shrimp po'boy, which seemed pretty safe, but the lettuce wasn't fresh and the shrimp was just passable. The fries, while covered with great seasoning, were cold. The only thing Razzoo's has is stunning waitresses (they should have no trouble finding another job when this place closes), but unfortunately we had a guy waiter who wasn't so speedy. Razzoo's gets the razz-berry. Labels: restaurants
Buca di Beppo : 4 of 5
6.03.2001 12:43 PM \| Link	As soon as I walked in Buca di Beppo and saw the menus hung on the walls, I remembered I had eaten at one in Los Angeles about a year ago, not knowing it was a chain. Austin's version is very cool, with 2,000 hilarious photos on the walls, special tables (such as the kitchen table and the Pope's table - complete with a cheesy bust of John Paul in the middle of a lazy susan!), and huge, huge portions. Everything is family style - you must eat with a group, unless you want to bring home pounds of food. My friends and I had good ol' spaghetti and meat balls with chicken parmesan, along with a side of amazing mashed potatoes, then a huge tiramisu that we could barely touch - all of it entirely tasty. Buca is definitely a place for pigging out and having fun (too boisterous for a date, if I had one). Labels: restaurants
Romeo's : 3 of 5
5.18.2001 12:44 PM \| Link	I forgot to review Romeo's when I ate there a while back, but I took my parents there recently, so here's the review. Romeo's is on the cool Barton Springs row of restaurants, so it gets a nice crowd of folks ready to hang out in a semi-dark place and drink wine. The decor is kind of stereotypical (hanging vines, trellises), but still inviting, and the service is fast. The food is good - very standard Italian (nothing out of the ordinary), though I would call it a bit spicy (more so at my second visit than the first). The ravioli are excellent (you can get a mixture of meat and cheese), and the ceasar salad is refreshing. A nice place to go for a change or for conversation, but not if you're looking for something unique. Labels: restaurants
Musashino : 5 of 5
4.01.2001 11:48 AM \| Link	Until recently, my favorite sushi has been at Ichiban, but everyone in Austin consistently says that Musashino is the best in town. Thanks to Chris and Eliza, who took me there for my birthday, I can join the crowd in their opinion - Musashino really is incredible. There are lots of little bar areas to sit, which is great since the place gets crowded fast, which only reminded me of Japan. We had some really great miso, then several rolls filled with some very fresh fish - I don't think I've ever had such fresh salmon, which was a completely different taste and consistency than the norm. I had a nice beer and got to hear the waitresses sing Happy Birthday to me in Japanese, too, so it was a special experience. Labels: restaurants
Asti Trattoria : 4 of 5
3.01.2001 12:49 PM \| Link	One of my favorite restaurants used to be Manga, a place with fantastic Asian food (I'll never forget General Tso's Chicken) and anime playing on a video wall. I have no idea why it folded, but now the video wall has become a wine rack for the newest hip nouvelle Italian eatery, Asti Trattoria. I think hip is the word, because they sport modern design from the steel counter with red stools right down to the cool menus. The food was excellent - I had the fantastic Spinach Lasagna, along with a great salad composed of two giant Romaine leaves. The location is great for pre-opera eating, too. The only negative was a particularly gnarly Chianti - I'll buy a more expensive bottle next time. Labels: restaurants
Manuel's : 3 of 5
2.01.2001 12:50 PM \| Link	I like to eat at Manuel's for lunch during a nice day, since they have a wonderful large outdoor dining area. The food is kind of "nouvelle mex", featuring mostly bizarre variations of typical Mexican dishes. I really only like two things there, just because I don't feel adventurous when it comes to Mexican food. They do have great salsa and chips, though (at least I think the salsa is good - not the best, but tasty in a refreshing way). For some reason, each of their waiters overplays the part with a catch phrase, like "Excuse me" or "My friend", which is ridiculous but funny. Labels: restaurants
Z Tejas Grill (Arboretum) : 3 of 5
1.01.2001 12:51 PM \| Link	I've eaten dinner at the Z Tejas 6th Street location a few times and enjoyed it, and now I've had a couple of lunches at the Arboretum location. This Z Tejas certainly has a Northside spin to it - it seems much more upscale than the South location, probably to cater to all of us jet-rich techies up here. Both times I had the Pepper Turkey Sandwich, which is too huge to finish, and has an excellent spicy taste. They serve cornbread before the meal, which is a nice bonus. The atmosphere is pretty cool with lots of views of the trees on the few undeveloped hills, though the wait was a little long for a usual lunch. The food was good enough for me to go back for more lunches, but I can think of lots of better places for dinner. Labels: restaurants
North By Northwest : 3 of 5
12.01.2000 12:50 PM \| Link	Another Northside place right smack in the middle of movie theaters and superstores, but this one has a micro-brewery! Sad to say, but I've not yet tasted their beer, since I've only been there on work lunches. I can say that the food is very good, though - they have a half-pound hamburger with very fresh fixins, and really amazing seasoned fries. I think at a previous visit I had some kind of shrimp pasta and I remember it being very tasty. The atmosphere is basically a single huge room with a nice fireplace (though only a few tables get to enjoy it) and some windows that don't offer much to look at. No pre-meal munchies here, but otherwise a nice place. Labels: restaurants
Sushi Sake : 4 of 5
11.01.2000 12:52 PM \| Link	This Japanese restaurant just opened in October, and I went with Chris and Eliza on a spur of the moment dinner outing. I love Japanese food, but unfortunately haven't explored all of it as I should. Now that I've tried Sushi Sake, I think I'll being trying much of it soon. The decor is very upscale without being intimidating, and the staff seemed to be 100% Asian (I hate going to PF Chang's and listening to some frat boy pronounce everything wrong). We had excellent miso soup and then sushi (Caterpillar, Philly, and Tiger Eye), which was good, but I'm not fond of the wrapping - each piece was extremely large, spoiling the necessary "one bite" requirement of sushi. The taste was great however, and I'll be back (if only to get a glimpse of the kawaii hostess again). Labels: restaurants
Hyde Park Grill : 4 of 5
10.01.2000 12:53 PM \| Link	I've been to Hyde Park Grill many times, mostly with my friend Jill after the opera, but to start this restaurants page off, I'll review my latest visit with my friend Eliza prior to seeing Cabaret. This is an excellent place, not only because the food is wonderful, but because you get excellent atmosphere and upscale folk combined with inexpensive prices and Hyde Park quirkiness. We both had the eggplant parmesan, which was tasty and hearty without being too heavy. I had a glass of very cheap wine, but a nice touch is they still bring out the bottle (already opened) and let you try it, so you get all the fun of being a big spender even when you just want a cheap buzz. Labels: restaurants


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