Lambert’s Downtown Barbecue

August 7, 2013 by greystar

Located in a beautifully restored, historic building, Lambert's Downtown Barbecue is the place to go for modern, inventive barbeque and artisanal cocktails. Lunch, dinner and Sunday brunch are featured, plus they’ve got live music in their upstairs bar and lounge every night. The lunch menu features tasty sandwiches like Pulled Pork Cuban, Chopped Beef Brisket and Smoked Chicken Salad BLT. Dinner rolls out taste pleasers like Cold Smoked Lockhart Quail, Country Style Pork Ribs, Black Angus Filet and Jumbo Gulf Shrimp & Grits. Chocolate Cream Pie and Maple Bread Pudding are among the uber-yummy desserts that await you. Stop by for brunch to get your day started with Warm Brioche Cinnamon Rolls, Slow Smoked Brisket Hash and Lambert’s Eggs Benedict. Open every day.

Lambert's Downtown Barbecue
401 W 2nd St
Austin, TX 78701
(512) 494-1500
http://www.yelp.com/biz/lamberts-downtown-barbecue-austin

By Chris Palmer from San Diego (Bijou Cocktail) [CC-BY-SA-2.0], via Wikimedia Commons

Giovanni’s Pizza Stand: Al Fresco Pies in South Austin

July 31, 2013 by greystar

What’s not to love about a down-home little outdoor pizza stand located smack-dab next to a gas station? South Austin's Giovanni’s has earned a host of fans who adore the thin-crust, sizzling pies turned out of this friendly little eatery. There are a few tables for sitting, but most pies go home with their new owners. Yummy toppings include portabella mushrooms, gorgonzola cheese, chipotle pesto, roasted eggplant, steak, kalamata olives and shrimp. Stop by at lunchtime for their bargain special and get a slice of pizza with two toppings, and soup or salad for $5.49. Pasta is also on the menu and their daily soup is reportedly super-tasty. Cruise by in the a.m. for some hearty breakfast tacos and fajitas. Giovanni's Pizza Stand is open Mondays through Saturdays.

Giovanni's Pizza Stand
2900B S. Lamar Boulevard
Austin, TX 78704
(512) 442-7033
http://www.giovannispizzastand.com/
http://www.yelp.com/biz/giovannis-pizza-stand-austin-2

Public Domain. (From http://www.public-domain-image.com/food-and-drink-public-domain-images-pictures/pizza-public-domain-images-pictures/pizza.jpg.html) Pizza, pepperoni, olives, tomatos, green pepper, cheese, mozzarella cheese, Italian cuisine.

Filed Under: Dining Tagged With: Austin Dining, Giovanni's Pizza Stand, Restaurants in Austin

Parkside: Sophisticated American Cuisine

July 24, 2013 by greystar

Accolades abound for Parkside, a casually sophisticated eatery showcasing a tasty menu of seasonal American fare. Stop into the expansive bar and lounge area for a glass of wine, an artisan beer or a creative cocktail like the El Charrito with tequila, Campari, gingersnap liqueur and orange peel. Have a nosh from the oyster bar or an appetizer like Potato Gnocchi, Crispy Sweetbreads, Fried Oysters, or Crab Fritters. The raw bar features Salmon with citrus & sweet peppercorns and Classic Ceviche with avocado. Entrees include Braised Lamb Shanks with Israeli couscous, Seared Salmon with bacon cider vinaigrette, Grilled New York Strip Steak with brown butter puree, and Marinated Pork Blade Steak with foraged mushrooms. Open Monday through Sunday from 5p.m. until 12a.m.

Parkside
301 E 6th St
Austin, TX 78701
Neighborhood: Downtown
(512) 474-9898
http://www.yelp.com/biz/parkside-austin

By jules / stone soup (carrot soup) [CC-BY-2.0 (www.creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0)], via Wikimedia Commons

Filed Under: Dining Tagged With: Austin Dining, Austin Restaurants, Parkside, Restaurants

Malaga Tapas & Bar: Spanish Sunshine

July 16, 2013 by greystar

Taking its cue from the lush Spanish city on the Costa Del Sol, Malaga Tapas & Bar features a plentiful array of drinks and small plates served in a romantic setting. Authentic dishes include Albondigas in Salsa Brava – baked beef & pork meatballs in spicy tomato sauce, Marmitako – fisherman’s stew with tomato broth & potatoes, Empanadas Salamanca – spinach turnovers with mushrooms & cheese, and Plato de Quesos Y Frutas – a plate of assorted cheeses & fruit. Brunch is served on Saturdays and Sundays from 10a.m. until 2p.m. with delectable fare that includes Baked Egg on Creamy Polenta, Veggie Scramble, and Torrijas – Spanish-style French Toast served with honey & lavender. Stop in on Wednesday nights for live flamenco. Open every day.

Malaga Tapas & Bar
440 W 2nd St
Austin, TX 78701
(512) 236-8020
http://www.yelp.com/biz/malaga-tapas-and-bar-austin-2

By Kirti Poddar [CC-BY-SA-2.0], via Wikimedia Commons

Filed Under: Dining Tagged With: Austin Dining, Malaga Tapas & Bar, Restaurants

Hopfields: Not Your Usual Pub

June 26, 2013 by greystar

If you’re on the lookout for a great neighborhood watering hole with a menu that ventures above the usual pub-grub, put Hopfields on your list of go-to places. It’s a fine spot to chill out with an artisan beer, glass of wine or refreshing cocktail. Order up something tasty from the French-themed menu to accompany your libation. Choices include Moules Frites – mussels in white wine broth with French fries, Ratatoille with fresh veggies, and Steak Frites – a 6-ounce filet with fries & Dijon mustard. The Pascal Burger is also a tasty option, topped with camembert, cornichons, caramelized onions & grain mustard. Save room for a luscious dessert crepe, like Tripel Karmeliet with lavender vanilla sugar and nutella. Open every day.

Hopfields
3110 Guadalupe St, Ste 400
Austin, TX 78705
(512) 537-0467
http://www.yelp.com/biz/hopfields-austin

By LWY (http://www.flickr.com/photos/lwy/3378367602/) [CC-BY-2.0], via Wikimedia Commons

Filed Under: Dining Tagged With: Austin Dining, Austin Restaurants, Hopfields, Restaurants

Cork and Co.: The Mighty Grape

June 12, 2013 by greystar

Aficionados of the mighty grape congregate at Cork and Co., where a plentiful supply of wine from around the globe is arrayed for imbibing. Order a wine flight to sample an array of varietals. Each flight contains three 2-ounce pours of your choosing. Accompany your libations with something yummy for your tummy, like the Antipasto, Cheese & Charcuterie Plate with a sampling of goodies of your choosing. Other food choices include Baby Zach’s Smoked BBQ Hummus Plate and a Piccante Italiana Panini with peppered salami, prosciutto di Parma, smoked provolone and spicy cherry peppers. Increase your knowledge and appreciation of wine with one of their fun, informative classes. Upcoming choices include Wines of California, Wines of Oregon and Lone Star Wines. Open Monday through Saturday.

Cork and Co.
308 Congress Ave
Austin, TX 78703
(512) 474-2675
http://www.yelp.com/biz/cork-and-co-austin

Public Domain. (from http://www.photos-public-domain.com/2010/12/27/glass-of-red-wine/) Wine, Wine Glass, Red Wine, Drink, Beverages

Filed Under: Dining Tagged With: Austin Dining, Cork and Co., Restaurants, Wine Bars

J Mueller BBQ: Hit The Pit

May 22, 2013 by greystar

Texas is one of the country’s big destinations for barbecue, with a beef-centric menu and some serious slow-cooked flavor. The Hill Country is rife with barbecue joints, but locals will almost unanimously recommend J Mueller in Austin. Owner John Mueller hails from a barbecue dynasty in Taylor, Texas – his grandfather Louie’s restaurant is internationally known as one of the temples of Texas ‘cue. It took a lot for John to set out on his own, but he quickly found success in Austin. His business has had some ups and downs since then, but since opening the new location in Austin’s Bouldin Creek neighborhood, things have been looking up for Mueller. And for good reason – this is incredible barbecue, perfectly tender and flavorful. The brisket here is the meal of choice, and it’s done up as well as you can possibly do it. Beef ribs and sausage are also quite good. Note that this place has become a little more popular since it was profiled on Anthony Bourdain’s TV show.

J Mueller BBQ
1502 S. 1st Street
Austin, TX 78704
(512) 229-7366
http://www.yelp.com/biz/jmueller-bbq-austin

By Biskuit [CC-BY-SA-2.0], via Wikimedia Commons

Filed Under: Dining Tagged With: Austin Dining, Barbecue, J Mueller BBQ, Restaurants in Austin

Max’s Wine Dive: Eclectic Flavors

May 14, 2013 by greystar

‘Fried chicken and Champagne? Why not?!’

That’s nearly the slogan at Max’s Wine Dive, which lets you know it’s not just another snooty wine bar. Gourmet comfort food, an eclectic selection of wine from around the world and a funky, relaxed setting with a jukebox is what’s earned them a host of fans. Stop by for lunch to chow down on a Puttanesca Caesar Salad, Shrimp & Grits or Max’s Signature Burger. The dinner menu features many of the same dishes as the lunch menu, including Max’s Famous Fried Chicken with mashed potatoes & greens, the Fried Egg Sandwich with applewood smoked bacon & gruyere, and the Texas Haute Dog with onion rings & French fries. Stop by for happy hour for nice food and drink specials. Open every day.

Max’s Wine Dive
207 San Jacinto Boulevard
Austin, TX 78701
Neighborhood: Downtown
(512) 904-0111
http://www.yelp.com/biz/maxs-wine-dive-austin

Wine, Wine Bottles

Filed Under: Dining Tagged With: Austin Dining, Max's Wine Dive, Restaurants, Wine Bars

Second Bar + Kitchen: The Wow Factor

April 22, 2013 by greystar

Second Bar + Kitchen is a trendy little hotspot that will wow you. Order something from their hefty selection of beer, wine and artisan cocktails paired with an appetizer like Smoked Salmon Fritters, Black Truffle Pommes Frites or Green Garlic Gnocchi. Lunchtime offerings include a Congress Burger, a Fried Egg & Avocado Sandwich and Short Rib Sliders. Dinner rolls out some delectable artisan pizzas, plus entrées like Roasted Rainbow Trout with black radish salad, Grilled Berkshire Pork Chop with green chile hominy or Braised Beef Short Ribs with black truffle grits. Brunch offerings include Steak & Eggs, Brioche French Toast, Corned Beef Hash and Texas Eggs Benedict. Open every day.

Second Bar + Kitchen
200 Congress Ave
Austin, TX 78701
(512) 827-2750
http://www.yelp.com/biz/second-bar-kitchen-austin

Filed Under: Dining Tagged With: Austin Dining, Austin Restaurants, Restaurants, Second Bar + Kitchen

Frank: Frankly Good Hot Dogs

April 15, 2013 by greystar

Frank's artisan hot dogs are are paired with an amazing array of fresh ingredients. The Jackalope is made with antelope, rabbit, & pork, Notorious P.I.G. features pork, bacon, jalapeno & sage, and the Texalina is beef & pork. They come served on a bun and dressed up with a variety of toppings including barbeque sauce, spicy mustard, sauerkraut, curry sauce, cheddar cheese and mac & cheese. Not a meat eater? Get yours veggie or vegan-style. Add on some sides like cheese waffle fries, chili cheese fries, baked beans, ranch style beans, mac & cheese, coleslaw, and loaded baked potato salad. Coffee, beer, well drinks and cocktails are on the menu, too. Open for lunch and dinner.

Frank
407 Colorado St
Austin, TX 78701
(512) 494-6916
http://www.yelp.com/biz/frank-austin