You are here: Home / Archives for Restaurants

Polvos Mexican Restaurant: Always Take a Trip to the Salsa Bar

June 25, 2015 by

Polvos Mexican Restaurant's chefs take a Texan approach to Mexican cuisine. They master the Tex-Mex balance, especially when it comes to patrons' favorite dish, the fish fajitas. With garlicky grilled shrimp or fish at the center, these fajitas feature a colorful medley of veggies. Build your own creation with the rice, beans, and corn or flour tortillas that accompany the meat and veggies.

Flautas are another perennial favorite at Polvos. Order yours with potatoes, chicken, cheese, beans, or picadillo. The lengthy menu also boasts a slew of other authentic eats, from enchiladas to burritos, but no single entree can upstage Polvos' salsa bar. Chefs stock it with freshly blended salsas throughout the day, and the flavors range from "regular" to "exotic." Smother your fish fajitas with classic tomatillo or chipotle salsa, cover your burrito with mole or chile con queso, or slather your enchiladas with the more adventurous margarita or huasteca salsa.

Polvos Mexican Restaurant
2004 S. 1st Street
Austin, TX 78704
(512) 441-5446
www.polvosaustin.com
www.yelp.com/biz/polvos-mexican-restaurant-austin

Filed Under: Restaurants Tagged With: , ,

Ramen Tatsu-Ya: Japanese Soul Food

June 4, 2015 by

Ramen Tatsu-Ya co-owner (and half of its namesake) Tatsu Aikawa describes ramen as "the soul food of Japan." He should know, given that he's lived in Japan. He's also lived in L.A.—that's where he cultivated his culinary talents as a chef at a sushi bar—but Tatsu still considers Austin his hometown. He met Takuya Matsumoto, the other half of the Tatsu-Ya equation, when they were both working as DJs in Austin. After each DJ did some soul-searching, they ended up on the same culinary path. So when Tatsu moved back to Austin from Los Angeles, it didn't take long for he and Takuya to debut their ramen restaurant.

The duo is serious about crafting authentic, perfectly presented ramen—that's why they don't allow takeout. In the time it takes you to travel from the restaurant to your home, the noodles could get soggy and the broth could separate. No, it's best to dip your spoon into a piping-hot bowl of noodles within the walls of Ramen Tatsu-Ya. From original pork to soy-based vegan ramen, none of the soups disappoint. However, Yelp reviewers do recommend adding some heat with a Spicy Bomb mix-in (it consists of spicy red pepper paste) and some flavor with fried Brussels sprouts on top.

Ramen Tatsu-Ya
1234 S. Lamar Boulevard
Austin, TX 78704
ramen-tatsuya.com
www.yelp.com/biz/ramen-tatsu-ya-austin-2

Filed Under: Restaurants Tagged With: , ,

Pass Around Shared Plates With Your Pals at Barlata

May 28, 2015 by

If you’ve ever been overwhelmed by a menu and unable to make a decision about what to order, Barlata might be a great place to dine — especially for a large group.The dining experience here is tapas-style. You can order several dishes and share with the table.

Some of the standout dishes include the octopus with fingerling potatoes and adobo and the house-cured salmon with crema and red onions. One of the most inventive snacks in town might be the papas bravas at Barlata: exquisitely fried potatoes served with spicy tomatoes and aioli. The cocktails are assembled with a delicate eye for balance and flavor.

The atmosphere is also well regarded, with large communal tables helping you get to know your fellow diners. Visit Barlata's website to learn more about this Austin restaurant!

Barlata
1500 S. Lamar Boulevard
Austin, TX 78704
(512) 473-2211
www.barlataaustin.com
www.yelp.com/biz/barlata-austin

Filed Under: Restaurants Tagged With: , ,

Austin Beer Garden Brewing Company: Craft Brews and Bites in Austin

May 7, 2015 by

Funky and energetic, Austin Beer Garden Brewing Company (ABGB) is a popular local gastropub and brewery in South Austin. The brewery always has more than eight beers on tap daily, in addition hard cider and wine.

To complement your brew, the menu touts appetizers such as charcuterie boards with cheese and meat, prosciutto-wrapped melon, deviled eggs, and house-made habanero-bacon-wrapped asparagus. Refreshing salads include a yellow watermelon with sunflower sprouts and fresh mozzarella with an olive oil balsamic reduction and a spinach salad with fresh plums, onions, almonds, and goat cheese. The restaurant also bakes a mean pizza (regular or gluten-free), with an abundance of toppings from which to choose. Overstuffed sandwiches and subs are also on offer.

ABGB is open daily, and take-out is available.

Austin Beer Garden Brewing Company
1305 West Oltorf Street
Austin, TX 78704
(512) 298-2242
www.theabgb.com
www.yelp.com/biz/austin-beer-garden-brewing-company-austin-2

Filed Under: Restaurants Tagged With: , ,

Home Slice Pizza: Authentic New York Pizza by the Pie or the Slice

April 23, 2015 by

Pizza is one of the foods that New York City is best known for, and Home Slice Pizza brings that authentic, New York-style pizza experience to the Austin area. The shop has an eclectic, stylish interior furnished with exposed brick, funky wall art, and mouthwatering pizzas sitting atop metal tiers on every table. There’s also a spacious outdoor patio for those customers brave enough to face the Texas heat.

This independent pizzeria makes all of its pies by hand, tossing the dough high into the air, just like you see in the movies. For guests who are over 21, the restaurant serves a basic selection of beer and wine to accompany your meal. Home Slice Pizza is available either by the pie or by the slice for smaller appetites, but no matter how you slice it, this is one Austin’s most beloved pizzerias.

Home Slice Pizza is open 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Sundays through Thursdays and 11 a.m. to midnight Fridays and Saturdays. The shop is closed on Tuesdays.

Home Slice Pizza
1415 S. Congress Street
Austin, TX 78704
(512) 444-7437
www.homeslicepizza.com
www.yelp.com/biz/home-slice-pizza-austin

Filed Under: Restaurants Tagged With: , ,

Home Slice Pizza: A Taste of the Big Apple in Austin

March 26, 2015 by

Take a bite out of the Big Apple with a hefty slice of crispy New York-style thin crust pizza at Home Slice Pizza. This Austin pizzeria offers a retro, diner-esque ambiance with tables and a counter, while Italian-American cuisine comprises large plates of Italian comfort food.

Plenty of salads and antipastos head up the menu, with hot and cold sandwiches, calzones, and design-your-own pizza options following suit. In the traditional style, pizza slices are served on white paper plates. (The menu even tells you the "proper" New York way to eat a slice if you haven't gotten the method down!) If you have room, treat yourself to a cannoli or a slice of cheesecake or tiramisu for dessert. Beer, wine, and soda are available by the glass, carafe, or bottle.

Home Slice Pizza is open 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Mondays through Thursdays, 11 a.m. to midnight Fridays and Saturdays, and noon to 11 p.m. Sundays. Take-out is offered.

Home Slice Pizza
1415 S. Congress Avenue
Austin, TX 78704
(512) 444-7437
www.homeslicepizza.com
www.yelp.com/biz/home-slice-pizza-austin

Filed Under: Restaurants Tagged With: , ,

Uchi: Japanese Fare Made With Local Ingredients

March 5, 2015 by

The farm-to-table culinary movement is the backbone of a number of Austin’s most popular restaurants, and although the ingredients come from local suppliers, eateries like Uchi prove that they can be used to create cuisines from around the globe. This Japanese farmhouse restaurant and sushi bar serves creative, modern takes on traditional Japanese dishes using meats and produce from farms around the Austin area. The restaurant is located inside of a renovated bungalow-style house in South Austin, and it is decorated with colorful cherry blossom wallpaper, rustic wooden tables, and an elegant sushi bar where guests can sit and watch as talented chefs prepare each roll by hand.

Uchi’s menu includes a tasting menu of small hot and cool dishes, a full list of sushi, soups and other Japanese fare delicacies. There is also a sake social menu that offers the perfect sake pairing for any dish on the menu.

Uchi
801 South Lamar
Austin, TX 78704
(512) 916-4808
www.uchiaustin.com
www.yelp.com/biz/uchi-austin

Filed Under: Restaurants Tagged With: , ,

Odd Duck: Rustic-Contemporary Farm-to-Table Dining in Austin

February 26, 2015 by

Borne out of humble beginnings as a food truck hunting down the best farm-sourced ingredients, Odd Duck brings farm-to-table cuisine to Austin. In a modern-rustic setting, this 110-seat eatery serves dishes that rely on seasonal ingredients.

Menus vary by the season, but past highlights have included the steaming hot onion bread with housemade butter; the ham and cheese pretzel; Cajun grilled shrimp over okra stew; and a soft cooked duck egg with fried rice and gourmet mushrooms. Next, order the succulent lamb ribs in a soy glaze, or go for the foie gras mousse with a cured duck breast and figs. Save room for the fig trifle, lime panna cotta, or a coconut latte popsicle for dessert. Draft beer, signature cocktails, and wine are also served.

The restaurant serves dinner daily, while lunch is served weekdays. Swing by for happy hour 2:30 p.m. to 6 p.m. weekdays, and don't miss brunch 10:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Sundays.

Odd Duck
201 S. Lamar Boulevard
Austin, TX 78704
(512) 433-6521
www.oddduckaustin.com
www.yelp.com/biz/odd-duck-austin-2

Filed Under: Restaurants Tagged With: , ,

Bouldin Creek Café: Get Your Veggie On

February 5, 2015 by

Vegetarians and vegans in the Austin area have more restaurant options than those in some other cities, and Bouldin Creek Café is just one of these favorite veggie eateries. The casual restaurant is dedicated to providing wholesome, meat-free dishes at affordable prices, as well as organic wines and fair-trade coffees to go with them.

Breakfast is the most important meal of the day at Bouldin Creek Café, and the menu includes meat-free omelets, tofu scrambles, and vegan pancakes that are just as good as the originals versions. Tacos and sandwiches are some of the most popular items for lunch and dinner, and there are also more elaborate entrees for larger appetites.

Bouldin Creek Café has an industrial loft feel on the inside, with mismatched tables offering ample seating and local art hanging from the walls. Outside, there are a few patio tables where guests can enjoy their meals al fresco.

Bouldin Creek Café
1900 S. First Street
Austin, TX 78704
(512) 416-1601
www.bouldincreek.com
www.yelp.com/biz/bouldin-creek-cafe-austin

Filed Under: Restaurants Tagged With: , ,

South Congress Cafe: An Upscale Brunch Spot With National Recognition

January 29, 2015 by

The folks behind South Congress Cafe were inspired by Austin’s growing artist community and its new generation of foodies, and in 2003 they set out to open a restaurant that reflects that creative culture. The restaurant itself is housed in a former 1940s drugstore, and it maintains much of the original charm. The exposed brick bar is one of the main focal points, but the rest of the restaurant is colorful and modern.

South Congress Cafe is best known for its delicious brunch, and its bloody Mary was voted one of the best in America by the Huffington Post! Brunch is served daily and includes unique dishes like jalapeno venison meatloaf, carrot cake French toast, and gumbo with duck and oysters. With a stylish, mid-century aesthetic and a menu full of creative Texan dishes, South Congress Cafe is a truly out-of-the-ordinary eatery.

South Congress Cafe is open 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. weekdays and 9 a.m. to 11 p.m. weekends.

South Congress Cafe
1600 S. Congress Avenue
Austin, TX 78704
(512) 447-3905
www.southcongresscafe.com
www.yelp.com/biz/south-congress-cafe-austin

Filed Under: Restaurants Tagged With: , ,
« Previous Page
Next Page »

Pin It on Pinterest