LA guy in Austin Tx for a weekend

[djblisk]

I jotted all the recs down and will be visiting those establishments. Now what to do in san Antonio from Sunday to Wednesday. I have a lawyer seminar that only deseres my attention during the day.

 

[airportlobby]

Originally Posted by SField

Eddie V's is an extremely generic and very not special steak house. It's Austin's answer to Gibson's. Has the same viagara triangle type crowd. Better steak at the restaurant in the Four Seasons.
Yes, I recommended it as a seafood restaurant, which is how they market themselves (although I understand they actually sell more steaks than anything). It's okay. Not my favorite. Similar soporific quality to the restaurant in the Four Seasons. But the man asked for seafood. It's either Perlas (preferred), Eddie V's (sell more steaks), or Quality (cook w/ a microwave). Also, Parkside has some good oysters (but not the same selection as Perlas). Also, Ironworks is fairly mediocre. There are tens of better BBQ spots in Austin area. Sams, Franklins, Lamberts, etc., are all better. In San Antonio, check out the Liberty Bar, Chris Madrids, a million texmex restaurants....

 

[SField]

Originally Posted by airportlobby

Yes, I recommended it as a seafood restaurant, which is how they market themselves (although I understand they actually sell more steaks than anything). It's okay. Not my favorite. Similar soporific quality to the restaurant in the Four Seasons. But the man asked for seafood. It's either Perlas (preferred), Eddie V's (sell more steaks), or Quality (cook w/ a microwave). Also, Parkside has some good oysters (but not the same selection as Perlas).

Also, Ironworks is fairly mediocre. There are tens of better BBQ spots in Austin area. Sams, Franklins, Lamberts, etc., are all better.

In San Antonio, check out the Liberty Bar, Chris Madrids, a million texmex restaurants....

I had pulled pork there.

And I think the Four Seasons is considerably better than Eddie Vs. The seafood there is shockingly prepared. Scallops like pencil erasers.

 

[airportlobby]

Originally Posted by SField

I had pulled pork there.

And I think the Four Seasons is considerably better than Eddie Vs. The seafood there is shockingly prepared. Scallops like pencil erasers.

Pulled pork is not really a part of the Texas BBQ lexicon. C'mon, son, where you from?

As for Eddie V's, not sure how I found myself defending a restaurant I don't have any use for. The man wanted local and sea food. They can cook a sea bass and are locally owned. You may have had a bad experience there, but you probably have a small sample size. Or maybe, they decided to cook the ferner who thinks pulled pork is Texas BBQ some pencil erasers. I don't have much use for Four Seasons or Driskill restaurants, Aquarelle, Hudsons, either (all are fussy or dated or generic), but I understand some people like them, just as some people like EV. Etc.

Two more spots the OP might find of interest - Olivia and the courtyard bar at Hotel San Jose (beer and wine only, open only til 12).

Kent - I always thought Fearless Critic writers were anonymous. I know some restaranteurs here have no idea who they are (although maybe they haven't put any effort into figuring it out).

 

[Ambulance Chaser]

I am going to be in Austin in November for a friend's wedding. Is there enough stuff to do downtown so that I don't have to rent a car? Enough stuff to keep me occupied from Thursday to Sunday?

 

[airportlobby]

Originally Posted by Ambulance Chaser

I am going to be in Austin in November for a friend's wedding. Is there enough stuff to do downtown so that I don't have to rent a car? Enough stuff to keep me occupied from Thursday to Sunday?

You should be able to get by with cabs, for a weekend, especially if you are going to have other friends here for the wedding who will have cars. If you want to do things like hit a bunch of taco spots, hit dive bars, make a BBQ trip to Luling, a car is handy, etc.

 

[Guero]

Ditto on Vespaio and Lamberts -- both great choices with a very Austin sensibility. Max's Wine Dive is also great and Tyson Cole's new project Uchiko is getting a lot of attention. Yes, Austin actually has an Iron Chef contestant in its mix now. It's grown up a lot. Definitely check out the nightlife on South Congress if you want something with more flavor than West Sixth, which is busy but pretty generic. If you want the quintessentially cheesy experience, East Sixth is still an option.

For shopping, check out Capra & Cavelli, consistently the best menswear store in Austin.

 

[SField]

Originally Posted by airportlobby

Pulled pork is not really a part of the Texas BBQ lexicon. C'mon, son, where you from?

As for Eddie V's, not sure how I found myself defending a restaurant I don't have any use for. The man wanted local and sea food. They can cook a sea bass and are locally owned. You may have had a bad experience there, but you probably have a small sample size. Or maybe, they decided to cook the ferner who thinks pulled pork is Texas BBQ some pencil erasers. I don't have much use for Four Seasons or Driskill restaurants, Aquarelle, Hudsons, either (all are fussy or dated or generic), but I understand some people like them, just as some people like EV. Etc.

Two more spots the OP might find of interest - Olivia and the courtyard bar at Hotel San Jose (beer and wine only, open only til 12).

Kent - I always thought Fearless Critic writers were anonymous. I know some restaranteurs here have no idea who they are (although maybe they haven't put any effort into figuring it out).

I've posted about my ignorance with southern food before. I know pulled pork is more of a south easter thing than a texas thing.

I can also see by the restaurants that you "have no use for", that you probably know a lot more about affordable food in austin than I do. I'd be happy to go to a lot of the spots you recommend next time I go down in January. I love the city and I love eating.

 

[Guero]

Originally Posted by airportlobby

You should be able to get by with cabs, for a weekend, especially if you are going to have other friends here for the wedding who will have cars. If you want to do things like hit a bunch of taco spots, hit dive bars, make a BBQ trip to Luling, a car is handy, etc.

This^^.

If you can make it Luling City Market, you will find Texas' BBQ (read BEEF) heaven. I once ate next to Robert Duval and Bill Whitliff, the screenwriter for Lonesome Dove. It was a great experience.

 

[airportlobby]

Originally Posted by SField

I've posted about my ignorance with southern food before. I know pulled pork is more of a south easter thing than a texas thing. I can also see by the restaurants that you "have no use for", that you probably know a lot more about affordable food in austin than I do. I'd be happy to go to a lot of the spots you recommend next time I go down in January. I love the city and I love eating.
Sorry if I came off abrasive, I was just trying to pass off correct info (but definitely too snarky). Sometimes those of us who like the newer restaurants in Austin have a bit of an edge when we talk about the old guard. My brother is a restaurant person, so I have some strong opinions. Two more shops to consider, with more of a SWD aesthetic - By George and Bows + Arrows.

 

[Guero]

Originally Posted by airportlobby

Sorry if I came off abrasive, I was just trying to pass off correct info (but definitely too snarky). Sometimes those of us who like the newer restaurants in Austin have a bit of an edge when we talk about the old guard. My brother is a restaurant person, so I have some strong opinions.

Two more shops to consider, with more of a SWD aesthetic - By George and Bows + Arrows.

And Stag on South Congress. Great American work wear vibe, RRL, etc.

 

[1969]

To the OP-for a food experience you can't get anywhere else, take the 45 minute drive to Louie Muellers, Smitty's or Luling Market for barbecue.

 

[djblisk]

I need to get from Austin to San Antonio. What types of public transportation are available?

 

[airportlobby]

You're best off renting a car. The drive is just over an hour. A car will be handy in San Antonio, too, if you're interested in food. It's a spread out city, and lots of the downtown food is on the tourist-trap side.

 

[ToruOkada]

If you want food you can't get in LA, you probably should go the bbq route like 1969 mentioned. I'd also go to a few food trailers since that's pretty big in the Austin scene these days. A few standouts are Odd Duck, Franklin BBQ, Flip Happy, Mighty Cone and Izzos Tacos.

I have a feeling you'd be disappointed with the fine dining options in Austin. I think there are some great restaurants but I wouldn't say it's anything unique at all. However if you're looking for good seafood, I'd do Parkside for their raw bar or Uchi for their crudo plates.