III Forks: The Classic Downtown Steakhouse
For a great may reasons, not the least of which is a beautifully marbled 18 oz bone-in ribeye with a wonderful first bite rush of flavor, III Forks has evolved into a classic downtown steakhouse. The bar is engaging and it looks as a steakhouse bar should: sleek, sophisticated, and inviting with touches of marble […]
First Taste of The Brisket Gumbo at The Switch
I had lunch at The Switch with Ron Oliveira and tried the Brisket Gumbo. Unusual dish in that it’s served over a potato salad base but the flavors are fairly mild and the tastes are engaging. You can see Todd Duplechan‘s nuanced influence here and it’s what I expected. I’m really liking this place! […]
Obama’s Favorite Pho at EurAsia Bears No Resemblance to Trump’s Faves
Obama’s Favorite Indonesian Pho (Bakso Sapi) has become a staple at EurAsia Sushi Bar & Seafood in Oak Hill. I have to agree with President Obama on this one. This is a beautiful Pho, and at EurAsia (located at the Y in Oak Hill) the meatballs are homemade. I my wildest dreams I can’t even […]
The Classic Banh Mi – a bit of history, and where to find one in Austin
You might say that the creation of the Banh Mi sandwich was an historical inevitability. Many great dishes have evolved out of cultural mergers brought about either by war or otherwise. The French occupation of Vietnam during the 1950’s is another example. The classic French baguette merged with Vietnamese bbq popular in the small country […]
Pastrami or Pizza? Tough Choices on the Menu at Pieous in Belterra Village
So I went in to Pieous for pastrami and then I bumped into this pizza, the wonderfully named “Fat Queen.” Tough decision, but this was one hell of a pizza. Pieous is now open at Belterra Village on Hwy 290 W. By the way, they also have a blueberry pie that rocks! Pieous Belterra […]
Meet Frankie Hoch, Pitmaster at It’s All Good BBQ in Spicewood
Does this guy look happy? He should. He’s Frankie Hoch, Pitmaster at It’s All Good BBQ. Frankie has been a weekend smoker and griller for years when he’s not fixing police cars for the city of Austin. He met his eventual partners at It’s All Good at barbecue competitions around the area. Dale Wieczyk, for […]
Josh Kaner at the Old Pieous Building Before the Move to Belterra Village
When Pieous first debuted several years on 290 in Cedar Valley, it took the area by storm. Foodies that far southwest had never had genuine Neapolitan pizza before. And the word quickly spread about their tasty pizza pies and their amazing moist pastrami. Pieous has now moved to a larger location at Belterra Village off […]
Beat the Texas Heat with Cold Water New England Oysters at III Forks Downtown
III Forks is known for their beautifully marbled Ribeyes and New York strips. But there are nights I am drawn like a moth to a flame to their huge selection of Blue Points, Malpeques, and other mollusks from Prince Edward Island, Maine, and Cape Cod. Sure, we all love great steaks but in this steaming […]
A Little Variety at The Switch
Pork ribs, moist brisket, beautiful sausage, hush puppies and a side called smothered cabbage. Nice plate and it’s a great sampler. Great things happening down at The Switch in Belterra Village.
Bill Dumas on His Turf by The Smokers at The Switch in Belterra Village
Bill Dumas is a tested BBQ veteran griller and smoker who is taking care of business at The Switch, a partnership between the Stiles Switch BBQ and Lenoir brain trusts that recently opened in Belterra Village near Dripping Springs. Shane Stiles and Todd Duplechan of Lenoir are friends and also partners in the revival of […]
Carmela’s Keeps the Pasta Coming in the Hill Country near Dripping Springs
I tend to patronize family owned and operated restaurants because they usually place a premium on customer care and satisfaction. Carmela’s Pizzeria Café & Deli on Route 12 at Hamilton Pool Road near Dripping Springs is one such spot. They make authentic Italian dishes and always leave me satisfied. They’re not going to be on […]
Juniper Delivers a Classic Roman-Style Cacio e Pepe
Does the above picture intrigue you? If you like Pecorino Parmesan cheese tossed with fresh al dente spaghetti and ground black pepper with (of course) butter, then you will love this classic Roman-style offering. Juniper at 2400 East Caesar Chavez totally gets this dish – as they do with so many other iconic Italian offerings […]
Creativity Defined in the Breakfast Pot Pie at The League
I have never tasted anything quite like this before. The Breakfast Pot Pie definitely makes it worth heading to The League Kitchen & Tavern for weekend brunch. Belterra Village – Dripping Springs The League Kitchen & Tavern 166 Hargraves Drive Suite B300Austin, Texas 78737 (512) 595-7477 Lakeway The League Kitchen & Tavern 11310 Ranch Rd […]
Freda’s Ramps Up Menu with Some Tasty New Additions
If you love Seafood Gumbo with a tasty roux, you’re gonna love the new appetizer at Freda’s Seafood Grille on Pecan Park off 620. They’ve also added Seared Sea Scallops which are terrific and Maine-style Lobster Rolls (with drizzled butter). All in all we had a very pleasant meal the other night and I would […]
Austin BBQ Wars: Best Austin BBQ
Like any other red blooded Austinite, I love eating the entire panoply of smoked meats and fowl that most of us fondly refer to as “cue.” Unlike most other Austinites, however, I am a restaurant critic. In that capacity, I have traveled to many so-called meccas of BBQ including the Carolinas, Memphis, Kansas City, and […]
