Gastronomically Speaking....

I'm not the first to say that Austin's food scene is a tad disappointing. I like to live in a place with great restaurants. Doing so makes me feel metropolitan and serves as a clear reminder that I left my small hometown, that I am somewhat worldly, as it were. Austin abounds in cuisine like BBQ, which the Bay Area did not, but sadly falls short in the Asian food department, where the Bay area excelled. Which is to say, we miss Asian food. We are, however, determined to find the 10-12 restaurants that any city-dweller wants to count on as his or her standard hangouts. My list on this page will track my favorites.

I think it says something a bit depressing about a town when a supermarket makes the top 10 list of places to eat. But actually, now that Central Market's cafe has reduced the size of its salads, but not their price, they are facing removal from the list. Their redeeming qualities include the patio, play structure, live music, and tasty, healthy fare.   

Some standouts on the list include Swad, all good Indian food, all typical minimal ambiance. Too many of the restaurants I list are located in strip malls. Not good!  Fino was delightful, though I worry a bit that we will quickly tire of the menu, so we will limit our visits. Rudy's BBQ in its 360 location is pure heaven, despite selling gas in the front. (Is that really necessary?) Bless them for the large grassy lots for play and the picnic tables (but guys, we need more parking). Aster's is great Ethiopian, but the location beside and under the freeway is less than ideal. You'll often find us at Tom's Tabooley for Saturday lunch, hanging out playing card games in the sofa area. Oddly, they have awesome fries, something, like BBQ, in which Austin does seem to excel and which is adding far too rapidly to my waistline. Crazy Cajun was a yelp find, just in time for the crawfish season, great boils, low ambiance. All the other restaurants in that strip mall are Vietnamese pho shops and most of the clientele are Asian, so it makes for an interesting cultural excursion.

Bombay Bistro, another strip mall place, is what Clay Pit ought to be (shame on the latter for having such a beautiful building, ambiance, and location, yet such truly tasteless food). The remaining places on the list are all fairly close to our house; many offer everyday fare like hamburgers and espresso drinks and pastries. Trudy's is highly notable for its $5 Monday Mexican martinis in a shaker that pours out at least six of them, so yes I am so cheap as to ask for an extra glass to split it with husband. Titaya's is a Thai place of note, inexpensive, tasty, and conveniently next door to Half Price Books, making it a great date night spot.

Still missing is a super Chinese place. Not sure that is on the horizon, as we have tried some of the top listings in the Fearless Critic book and have been unimpressed.  We have also yet to hit up the many airstream trailer food stands, whose food we are told is stellar. First supermarkets, next trailers. I'm trying to be open-minded. We're saving some of the fanciest places for special occasions; these include Uchi's and Wink. No point getting hooked on a place that is so expensive.