El Alma

Well friends, another restaurant has "opened" in my 'hood. El Alma, formerly El Chile, has re-opened with a new face and a new-ish menu on Barton Springs.


Joel Mozersky re-decorated the interior, but the changes are minimal. It's a cleaner space, with great colors, but the same old tables and chairs which are hideous. 

For drinks I ordered a michelada and Italianini and LiveSTRONG man got the house margarita. The michelada was the best I've had in Austin simply because I don't like mine too spicy and with lots of lime, but the marg was just bad!

We were greeted by complimentary chips and salsa.The green salsa was really good (I'm pretty sure it's avocados, tomatillos, serranos, lots of lime and prepared raw). Then we ordered apps. We started with the Gringas (with Pastor) and the classic ceviche. The gringas are not worth the calories, the pastor was chewy and not properly seasoned. The ceviche was good, a little dry and too chunky, but a nice refreshing bite in this unbearable heat. 


I ordered the Camarones a la plancha: Shrimp with garlic ancho butter, corn relish, and avocado. The shrimp were good and cooked perfectly. The relish was sort of a slaw and it didn't impress.


LiveSTRONG man ordered theParrillada Gringa: Grilled steak and shrimp with melted cheese, rajas and guacamole.The meat was so tender and who doesn't love anything smothered in cheese and rajas?


Italianini tried the Roasted duck enmoladas: Shredded duck with pasilla mole and almonds. The mole was good and not too strong; however, it tasted EXACTLY like the Doña Maria mole my roommate and I used to 'make' in college.


The price point is perfect for a chill dinner with friends if you don't want the hussle and bussle of downtown. Their happy hour is longer than most (3-7p.m.), the prices are pretty cheap for drinks and bites, and you can enjoy their patio if you're up for this ridiculous summer heat.


No working website. Happy eating.

TRACE at the W Austin

You know the saying 'don't judge a book by its cover'? So true when it comes to restaurants...

The W Austin finally bridged the two main sections of 2nd street district, sure, but it also brought a new restaurant, bar, spa, and a shiny stage for us to play in.

Having had the opportunity to tour it and played in it early on, let me give you a couple of pointers on this new playground.

The bars are nice and spread out. The service sucks. The people are pretentious and remember it is a hotel bar, so you will still see the douche bag trying to score some local fresh catch with his flashy Ed Hardy shirt and Ferragamo loafers along with the unassuming couple wearing bermuda shorts. The pool is small and very shallow (designed to show off those fake tatas you paid $3000 for) complete with private cabanas (like 4) and wet bar. The spa really is amazing, you should check it out.

And then there is TRACE. Ambitious people work in this kitchen. Not only does it serve the restaurant and bars, but it also serves rooms and residences for 24/7 Whatever, Whenever service. Maybe that's why the flavors and quality are seriously lacking here? Who knows, the point is, drink all you want, splurge on the $15 glass of prosecco, but if you like good food, don't bother eating at TRACE.



Also, glass has STOPPED falling from the skies, so it's totally safe to venture into one of their watering holes.