Destination | Hoggs n Chicks
Camera | Canon 5Dmk2 + Canon 24-70 2.8L
January 22, 2011 –
Hoggs n Chicks was the latest on my new restaurant tour around town, and luckily it was a mere 5 minutes down highway 6 from where I live. While it was definitely convenient that’s pretty much the most pleasure I derived during lunch.
As my girlfriend and I arrived at the low key and unassuming strip center across the HEB near Sienna Plantation I hoped for the best. After all, its pork and chicken, how can you go wrong? Upon entry we noticed it pretty packed for 1pm which was a great sign, a glance at the chalk on pigboard (chalkboard cut in the shape of a pig) sign and we were slightly overwhelmed by the options. The cashier was kind enough to give us some recommendations, including the sandwich that was featured in the Houston Press.
The sandwich that was featured was the OhMyGosh! French Dip Sandwich, a clusterfuck of Pulled Pork, Pork Belly, Pork Loin, and Bacon. A pork on pork on pork sandwich sounds as amazing as a foursome with myself and 3 supermodels or at least I thought. The only iteration of pork that was halfway decent was the pork belly. The mount of meat was a large bulbous dry mess. I had to pull the pork belly to flatten the sandwich out a bit and I had to break the bacon apart to fit it inside the bread that became a mushy mess under the pressure of pork gangbang. As for the sides, mac and cheese and fried okra were hopefully quite easy and straight forward. I left the mac and cheese to die a miserable death after a few bites. The fried okra was tasty though, a bit of the spicy jam in the clear container on the table was a nice hit of spice as well. At just under $7 it wasn’t a huge unbearable amount, however my girlfriend’s Shrimp Salad with Pineapple Salsa for $7.69 just seemed like a healthy shot in the dark with an extensive meat heavy menu.
Just under $20 for the two entrees and two sides, I think next time I’ll spend it at Luby’s. at least the mac and cheese is way better.
2/5: Hoggs n Chicks in the same realm as Beavers? Not even on their worst day.
* I really don’t think myself and 3 supermodels will be as bad as the sandwich, but that will be its own blog post whenever that happens lol.
Destination | Dessert Tasting @ Bootsie’s Heritage Cafe
Camera | Canon 5Dmk2 + Canon 24-70 2.8L + Canon 580EX2
epic dessert tasting is epic.
Destination | Second Bar and Kitchen ((200 Congress Ave, Austin, TX 78701)
Contact | (512) 827-2760 x www.congressaustin.com
Camera | Canon 5DMK2 x Canon 24-70mm 2.8L
January 15, 2011 -
After an amazing meal at Congress Austin and some great drinks at Bar Congress, it was time to complete the trifecta before heading back to Houston to face the reality of work and the daily grind. I previously checked out the Second Bar and Kitchen menu while enjoying some Fernet at Bar Congress so I had a general idea of what I wanted. Some recurring favorites such as the truffle fries and pepperoni soup made their way to our table with us both adding some fried pickles, short rub pizza and fundido to the mix with some oh so popular real sugar dr pepper. The fries were pretty close to orgasm inducing with the sweet kiss of truffle oil. The fried pickles were wonderful albeit a bit soggy if you leave them sitting for a bit. The pepperoni soup was excellent, it was an extremely hearty tomato soup. The short rib pizza was great as well, crispy and tasty crust with hits of short rib as you made your way around. As we rounded out the lunch, our waiter dropped off the dessert menu, a quick look at each other and an even quicker look at the menu and we chose the lemon ice box pie to finish off the weekend.
3.5/5: get the fries and pepperoni soup for sure!
Destination | Foreign and Domestic (306 E 53rd St, Austin, TX 78751)
Contact | (512) 459-1010 x www.foodanddrinkaustin.com
Camera | Canon 5DMK2 x 24-70mm 2.8L (no flash)
January 14, 2011 -
new year, new menu, same great taste you expect from Foreign and Domestic
101 | session beer
102 | smoked rainbow trout _ confit potatoes x brussel sprouts x mustard
103 | beet salad
104 | crispy beef tongue _ watercress x mint x greek yogurt
105 | venison heart crudo _ pickled mushrooms x herbs x white chocolate
201 | monterey bay sardines _ carrot butter x pickled olives x bacon broth
202 | heartbrand beef wagyu chuck filet _ snails x salsify x shiitakes x bearnaise
203 | lacquered bandera quail _ potato puree x caramelized celery x hazelnut pesto
204 | bar view of the kitchen
205 | chocolate mousse
Destination | Haddington’s (601 West 6th Street, Austin, TX 78701)
Contact | (512) 992-0204 x www.thehaddington.com
Camera | Canon 5DMK2 + Canon 24-70mm 2.8L
January 14, 2011 -
Continuing on with my food pilgrimage in Austin, a couple friends and I headed to Haddington’s. Due to the amount of fernet, campari and combinations of the two we all consumed the night before, we opted to not even look at the drink list. we opted for the foie gras link, stew of the day as well as a turkey sandwich and london broil. The highlight of the lunch was the stew of the day, nice and hearty. The foie link reminded me of something I’ve previously gotten at Moon Tower Inn in Houston, just a lot smaller and more expensive. Overall an underwhelming food experience, I’m pretty sure if I would have sampled the Duck Fat Sazerac, that my mood would have changed, but I’ll definitely need to head back when I’m in a drinking mood during dinner time.
2.5/5: expensive and underwhelming lunch experience that probably needs more duck fat.
Destination | Congress Austin and Bar Congress (200 Congress Ave, Austin, TX 78701)
Contact | (512) 827-2760 x www.congressaustin.com
Camera | Canon 5DMK2 x Canon 24-70mm 2.8L
January 13, 2011 -
I tried not to stuff myself with too much at Gourdoughs or at another stop prior at Austin Java for some tea knowing I was headed to Congress Austin to experience Chef David Bull’s tasting menu at the newly formed Congress Austin. At $95 for a 7 course meal, it certainly wasn’t a cheap affair, however it’s the best way to experience what they have to offer in a single seating. Starting from the amuse, we all knew it was going to be a pleasant ride. The tasting moved from the parmesan amuse to an arugula and artichoke, to hamachi sashimi to fried green tomatoes to black bass to ribeye cap to some desserts. Chef Bull graced us with his presence as he presented his wonderfully tender rib eye cap. The next 3 courses would come in the form of some truly epic desserts from Plinio. The last time I saw him and his desserts was previously at Textile and I couldn’t wait to see what he had in store for the table. The popular campari pop rocks made an appearance as well as some sweet potato beignets that were the highlight of the meal.
The dinner and experience puts Congress Austin right up there with my current Austin favorite, Foreign and Domestic. It’s going to be a tough choice when I head to Austin, but hopefully I will never have to choose between the two.
4/5: Great Dinner with some even better desserts make for a new Austin destination.
Destination | Gourdough’s (1219 S Lamar Blvd, Austin, TX 78704)
Contact | www.gourdoughs.com
Camera | canon 5dmk2 x canon 24-70 2.8L
January 13, 2011 -
Annie and I left Houston around 11am and headed to Austin for another one of our food adventures and the first stop was Gourdough’s. I had only recently read about this place that served an interesting mix of doughnuts and random toppings. As we would pull into the parking lot and look at the menu, we understood just how random the pairings really were. Canadian Bacon, Cream Cheese, Strawberries, Fudge, Peach, Marshmallow, Coconut and Fried Chicken is just a glimpse at what was on the menu board in front of the trailer. A quick glance and I opted for the Porkey’s with Canadian Bacon, Cream Cheese and Jalapeno Jelly. Annie opted for the Miss Shortcake with the Cream Cheese Icing and Fresh Strawberries for the “healthier” option.
A mere 5 or so minutes later and the trailer window popped open and we saw the beautiful doughnut creations. A dublin dr pepper was handed over as well to wash the doughnuts down and I was a happy camper. We need one of these in Houston immediately!
3/5: It’s a fat doughnut with assorted toppings, how can you go wrong?
Destination | Haven x Beaver’s
Camera | Canon 5Dmk2 x Canon 24-70 2.8L
January 1, 2011 –
Welcome to the beginning of the new year, as we start on this journey I’m reminded of all the new places I visited for the first time around in 2010 and there were some great and some not so great. For the places that were on the great list, I find myself visiting them over and over again and introducing new friends to the places I love. The start of 2011 was no different. Haven tweeted that the only day they have brunch service was on new year’s day. Jacob, Casey, Sven, Camille, Annie and I all decided toJ bring in the new year in proper fashion. 3 course pre-fixe menu.
Free Range Deviled Eggs
Hill Country Wild Boar Chili
Shrimp Corn Dogs
Country Fried Chicken Livers
Cheese Biscuits with Venison Pan Sausage
Confit Free Range Chicken
Migas with Akaushi Steak
Wild Head On Shrimp
Ambrosia
Rice Pudding Creme Brulee
Chocolate Ice Box Pie
Jack and Coke Float
wee. fun brunch with friends is fun.
After brunch it was off to Beaver’s for some drinks to rid us of the dreaded New Year’s hangover.
