Sundays are good and bad. It’s the backside of (most of our) two days of freedom. It is also scary close to Monday. Scary close. Just minutes separate them. It’s true! I checked it out. There is a place I like to go to relax before that Monday wave washes over me. It’s situated a secret spot in the center of town called the the University of Texas.
Category Archives: Restaurant Review
Restaurant Review: Annie’s Cafe and Bar
In these times of woe and want, finding good Happy Hour food is a challenge. Sometimes, it is the difference between going out and not going out at all. Generally, I do the math on on how much I will save (what I can afford) and hope the food will be edible.
On my way down Congress Ave., I thought it might be a good idea to stay hydrated (Gin and Tonic), so I stopped into Annie’s Cafe and Bar. They have a new Chef on the burners, Brian Bennett, and a new Happy Hour menu that launched this week. Brian comes to us via New Orleans and the menu reflects his style. Pictured above is Duck Confit with Arugula on Mashed Potatoes with a Sweet Demi Sauce. EXCELLENT. Crispy on the outside but still moist on the inside. Take a look, this was no ‘two bite plate’, closer to a full portion size.
Restaurant Review: Snows BBQ
After talking with Pat Sharp at Texas Monthly, I know they are pretty thorough when it comes to picking a winner for their BBQ issue. That being said, I was reasonably sure I was in for a treat at Snow’s BBQ in Lexington, ranked #1 in 2008. Above, Ms. Tootsie (the Pit Boss), and her son on the far left. Kerry Bexley (Snow’s owner) is adding moral support (and about to get reprimanded). The gentleman between them is the next door neighbor. He’s in charge of tending the fires early in the A.M.
Late Lunch at Asti
I know it happens, but you are always sad to see them go. I was just in for a late lunch and was surprised to see all new line staff in the kitchen at Asti. Tabatha did pop up, so it was nice to see a familiar face. The good news is the food was as good as always. The menu has not changed in quite some time, but maybe it shouldn’t. The specials are always lively. My favorite mainstays on the menu are Romaine Leaf Caesar Salad, White Pizza with Truffle Oil and Capellini Neopolitano Pasta. Asti’s menu is a straight forward dialogue. Comforting food that is easy to understand, executed well.
Dai Due Supper Club: Seafood at The Plant
The start and the finish. That is what I have been thinking about. Raw oysters to Fish soup. Bookends to an exceptional meal. I predicted the Dai Due Seafood dinner was going to be special, but it exceeded my expectations. Jesse, Tamara and the rest of the Dai Due crew treated us to a memorable evening.
Tumblers On The Second Story
Fino Restaurant has some of the best outdoor seating in town. High up on the second story, impervious to mosquitoes, their wrap around porch makes you feel like you’re on another planet. Current Happy Hour specials: Monday through Friday, 1/2 off beers, 1/2 off sparkling by the glass and by the bottle, $2 – $3 small plates and specials on Fino’s award winning cocktails.