Dining Out in Austin: 2012

Welcome back foodies! We’re off and running into 2012. Hope your holiday season was wonderful and that our terrific Austin restaurant scene provided at least a few memorable meals for you and yours.

I had elbow surgery last Wednesday so I’m typing this post with my left hand. Been feeding myself that way for the past 6 days as well! Cast should come off in a week. I had no idea how difficult things can be when you are right-handed and lose the use of that hand.

McCormick & Schmick's at the Domain

I’m pissed that I had to miss the NYE events at Max’s Wine Dive and Casa Chapala that I was really looking forward to. But c’est la vie! I was able to enjoy a lovely Christmas day dinner with my family at McCormick and Schmick’s at the Domain. They have the most amazing Shrimp Cocktail there and the Lobster Ravioli was a smash hit. I had a terrific mix shellfish grill. The place was jammed, but GM Ryan and his staff provided a seamless dining experience. A major thumbs up! And to all the restaurants that provided Christmas day dining options, thank you! Christmas day dining out in Austin had been limited to hotels for years, but we’re starting to see more owner-operated restaurants opening their doors. Hopefully this is a growing trend. If our experience at M&S at the Domain was any indication, we’ll be seeing even more of this next Christmas, assuming of course that the Mayan calender is incorrect!

We also got an amazing ham for Christmas eve dinner at the Texas Honey Ham Company on 3736 Bee Caves Rd. (Suite 6) 330-9888 which we ate at home. Having John and Jenn in from Colorado was great. Lauren made a killer green bean casserole and we also enjoyed baked beans, corn bread stuffing, and mashed potatoes along with several chilled bottles of Veuve Cliquot Yellow Label that we picked up at the great new Twin Liquors in Dripping Springs.

Watched Love Actually and sipped some Bailey’s. Really great night that made the days before my first surgery ever tolerable.