Justine's

So, if you take 5th street, go east of 35 and continue driving until you think you've reached Bastrop--- you'll reach Justine's.

There was sooo much hoopla around this place. I even tried to go once only to find out there was a 45 minute wait, they didn't take reservations, and the dining room has maybe 8 tables...Still, everyone I know loved their food so, Italianini and I went last night.

First of all, they entice you to come in with their website. It seduces you with provocative black and white images of naked women. Don't really know what that's about, but I really like it.

We were seated inside at one of their tiny marble tables for 4...Hmmm... I could barely fit, the chair was the most uncomfortable piece of wood I have ever sat on (and definitely thought it was going to break), and, while beautiful, the iron legs of the table didn't leave much room to cross my legs, or even sit comfortably. Ugh.

The ambiance is nice, low lighting, dark ceiling, cute bar, but it all goes to crap when you're literally touching backs with the guy behind you that's sweating profusely because their ac does not circulate well.

Anyway, their menu is very small, and then there was the whole- 'We're out of the confit' and I didn't want pork, or steak, and Italianini didn't want scallops, and why would you have a plate of cheese when they make the meats in the charcuterie plate in house? So, choices were limited.

We started with charcuterie plate. I was expecting the best of the best (made in house!) and was truly disappointed. Why would you call it a charcuterie plate when it's clearly three different pates?

Italianini had the onion soup. It was really good, but they skipped the bread... I like mine topped with some bread.

I had the snapper with buerre blanc and he had the steak.

It was sooooo much food (generous portions), and add a bottle of red wine and we had full bellies. But truly, it was not something to write home about, or even rave about...

Whathaheck is wrong with Austinites? Or more importantly, my friends!?!

This was a step below Annies...o.k., but not delicious.

http://justines1937.com/

Doc's Motorworks

Lately I've been on this cheap eats and thrills kick...since I'm super broke.

On a super rainy Wednesday the girls and I went to Doc's for $1 tacos and $2 beer (that is MEXICAN beer yum!).

I gotta say, the whole crispy taco concept doesn't sound appetizing...but IT IS! Oh man, those beef crispy tacos topped with shredded lettuce and cheddar cheese will surprise the heck out of your taste buds.

I think the reason I actually like them (and ate 5 of them) is that they lay off the cumin...

They have specials almost every day. Check them out.
http://eatdrinkdocs.com/#locations

North

Sunday, Italianini and I drove out of our comfy downtown bubble and went to North at the Domain for a long overdue date.

The place is contemporary, very nice, and has a great patio...although it's smaller than the others scattered across the U.S., it certainly lives up to the Fox Restaurant Concept's reputation.

I had only been there for lunch and I typically get the goat cheese, fig, and prosciutto pizza, but it was nowhere to be found on the dinner menu. Bummer. Meh, I'll try something new.

We started with a small salad called 'Tutta la Casa' --- pretty much they take whatever they can get their hands on and throw it into a bowl. Greens, prosciutto, cheeses, pine nuts, olives, etc etc... We also had the calamari which is served on a bed of spinach and some lemon wedges. It's so good, you don't need any kind of sauce.

Italianini ordered the tuna. It was a little disappointing. Very bland and the sauce on it didn't help much. Really, even the description on the menu is boring...Grilled Ahi Tuna with "Whatever Vegetable We Have".

Blaaaaah!

I had the Apple Cider Pork Tenderloin with olive oil mashed potatoes. YUMMY. It was perfect. It had a little bit of sweet, with the cider, and a little bit of sour, with some sort of tangy soy sauce concauction. Delish.

                    

We finished the evening with a little Tiramisu. It was mediocre. Could have saved myself some calories.

It's always tricky to take an Italian to an 'Italian' place. I guess if he agrees with my theory of NOT calling Tex-Mex Mexican food, then he probably enjoys the Americanized Italian food, right?

http://www.foxrestaurantconcepts.com/north.html

I love you TX people!

Yes, I've been a slacker lately and have not posted anything in a while... I know.

I'm sorry...I was on vaca! :)

Let me just say that I love my TX people. If you're not from Texas, but live here, you know exactly what I mean.

I've just returned from visiting my brother at MIT and, while I fell in love with BAWSTON, the people were a different story.

Nothing like landing in a city you've never been to before, heading over to the information desk at the airport and being greeted by a "What do you want?" -- ha!

But, the architecture was incredible, the landmarks, the Boston Commons, Newbury St., the fact that I spent time with my little brother and his 5000000 new friends, roamed around the creepy tunnels of MIT under the infinite corridor (and went chairing, by the way), and enjoyed such delicious food, made up for it.

I know this isn't a Boston food blog, but it's worth  mentioning that the North End and Faneuil Hall have delicious goodness waiting for you. Tons of my friends sent me their lists of the restaurants I had to check out...but you know it's all going to crap when you tourist around and walk like a maniac. The only actual planned outing I had was with a friend I had never met before (Don't worry, we have mutual friends) at the Mandarin Hotel's  M Bar.

Anyway, the brother and I had walked so much that we just stopped at the first Italian place we could find on Hanover St. (Yes, the one that Mike's Pastry is on)---Damiano. Oh man, the prosciutto wrapped figs could have killed me. I guess someone decided that tapas could also be Italian? Whatever, it worked. We had meatballs, the figs, scallops, and lobster ravioli (of course).

 

Then, before touring Harvard, we HAD to try Upstairs on the Square. 

Yes, the rumors are true, they are the BEST eggs benedict ever.

 

The last day we went to Faneuil Hall for some of the famous Clam Chowda... yum. The only bad part is that the disgusting pigeons are flying all over flapping their gross wings and spreading disease on my bread bowl! Eeeewwwww!

All this to say that I really enjoyed my trip, but I missed the friendly Texan smiles. :)

Home Sweet Home. 

Screaming Goat

Cheap + Beer + Tacos + Good = Great time with the girls

I've been pinching pennies lately since I want to spend them in Boston when I visit my brother in a few days...Still the girls and I wanted to catch up after Brown's trip to the Big Apple so I browsed the frugal feaster site and decided on the Screaming Goat for $2 beer and cheap tacos.

Let's start with the space. The last time I went to this particular venue it was Cafe Caprice--- a fancy, sort of a 'date' kind of restaurant. The food wasn't too memorable.

A couple of geniuses decided to transform this cute little house into an order-at-the-counter cheap Mexican food joint.

Their specials are awesome. It was Tuesday so the really cheap eats were the burgers, but I was super curious to try their Tacos al Pastor.

Brown ordered a fish taco and a chicken. I had al pastor, and chicken. We all shared guacamole and chips and salsa.

The guacamole was phenomenal. The perfect amount of lime, chunky tomatoes (for those of us who are not very fond and like to pick them out), cilantro... just so yummy!

The salsa was spicy, but you could taste the roasted peppers. Good.

The taco al pastor gave Curra's a run for their money. They do small double corn tortillas, like the Mexican street vendors do, and load them up with the usual topings---except for the pineapple...and I love my pineapple.

Still, I really enjoyed it.

  

There's my big thumb!

So, four girls, one very large basket of chips, some tacos, too many empty beer bottles , and three hours later, we were the last ones there.

It's a cool spot for a chill bite and drink. Very casual.

On Thursdays they have $.75 flautas and $2 beer.

Check them out.

W.10th and Lamar

P.S.- Vegetarian Items!!!