October '10

Hopdoddy

October 29th, 2010

The folks of AFDA gathered at the newest addition to South Congress in Austin. Replacing Cissi's Market, Hopdoddy, focuses on homemade burgers, beer, and specialty cocktails. When I say homemade, I mean homemade. The guys running this place (from Austin's Moonshine), put their heart and soul into any preparation. All meats are hand ground, the bread is freshly baked, and the fries are hand cut. To say you can taste the love is an understatement. I'm not sure if we've ever had so many ooohhs, and mmmmms at another dinner.

When we arrived, we sat down at a few high tables and ordered cocktails and beer. Hopdoddy also offers a good selection of reds and whites for vino lovers. Black Cherry Limeade and a ton of local brews filled the table as we look over the mouth watering menu. Burgers are the main focus, but there are veggie options, as well as, other meats and fish. A few salads are on there too for any one going green.

We placed our orders and talked about how much we liked the place so far. A Magic Mushroom (Beef, Pure Luck goat cheese, field mushrooms, and basil pesto spread) made its way to the table. Along with a Llano Poblano (Beef, pepper jack cheese, roasted poblano chiles, and apple-smoked bacon), Buffalo Bill (Bison, Maytag blue cheese, Frank's hot sauce, and apple-smoked bacon), an a Ahi Tuna Burger (Sushi-grade tuna, sunflower sprouts, teriyaki, honey wasabi, nori chips, and pickled ginger), and more. Orders of Kennebec fries made their way into many mouths as well.

I cannot say how fantastic each burger was. Absolutely delicious with such thought inspired ingredients and combinations. We all could eat here more than once a week. Perfect for a casual date, drinks with the boys, or burgers with the gals. So incredibly tasty and the rarity of such excellent staff.

Curious about the name? Apparently hop is representing the brews, and doddy is a term given to the Aberdeen Angus cattle of Scotland. The restaurant is serving them both exceptionally well. Make your way down to South Congress, and after you're done eating one of the best burgers you've had, walk it off with the Capitol in the background. Cheers!

Hopdoddy
Hopdoddy Menu
Twitter: @hopdoddy

July '10

Braise

July 16th, 2010

Our smallest AFDA yet was held at the newly opened Braise in East Austin, with the Texas summer heat as our extra guest. The foursome of diners basked in the generosity, openness, and air conditioning of the "Food for the soul as well as the belly" coined restaurant. We were told the restaurant's chef hailed from Restaurant Jezebel in Austin (a big plus), and that the liquor licence had not been established so complimentary beer and wine were served (another big plus). Red and white wine were ordered along with Lone Star on tap and Topo Chicos for the table. We curiously examined the menu and began with two appetizers, Mussels (saffron infused marinara broth) and Crispy Pork Belly (peppery Southern collard greens & Dijon mustard). Both were divine. The Pork Belly was delicious in itself, but the sauce let to plate licked clean. The mussels broth was exceptional and each one a delight. For entrees (you may choose a 1/2 plate or full) we chose the Neiman Ranch beef osso bucco (garlic mashed potatoes with sauce au poivre), Spicy Cajun blackened black bass (creamy grits with house smoked tomato and sweet corn beurre blanc), and the Spicy Jamaican Jerked pork shoulder (crock pot black beans with cilantro gremolata). The osso bucco took over the whole show. It was perfectly, perfectly cooked and the flavors so authentic. The true winner of the main course menu. The bass was tasty, but was not de-boned which would have been nice to know ahead of time. The pork unfortunately did not impress this eating bunch. To get over that loss, we decided on dessert. Rich dark chocolate coffee bean mousse, New Orleans’ style Chocolate chip bread pudding a la mode, and Traditional buttermilk pie. Each dessert surprised us all by being totally unlike their traditional versions. The buttermilk pie was more of a thick custard with a cinnamon accents, the mouse more bitter than sweet, and the bread pudding oh so chocolaty. Nothing bad, just very very different. I suggested (from a eaters perspective) the buttermilk pie would be so great in its true traditional sugary nature instead. All in all, a great time with great tastes. Go in for date night, or large party celebration. Braise is continually improving themselves, and are quite the hosts. Worth the trip for your dining pleasure.

Top Picks: Pork Belly, Osso Bucco, Bread Pudding

Braise

June '10

TNT

June 18th, 2010

The diners of AFDA headed to the newly opened Tacos and Tequila (TNT) on the corner of 5th and Pressler. This hot spot could not have been more hopping. Every table from the patio to bar seating was full. Almost as if Austinites were so thankful for yet another place to dine and drink. We had a reservation, and thank goodness because the wait was an hour. We sat down at our long narrow table by the bar, and focused on the orders to be made. Unfortunately, the service was almost non-existent. We waited quite a long time to order drinks, though water, chips and a trio of salsa were served. They were delicious, but barely tided us over as we waited. Once the poor overwhelmed waitress made her way to the table, we ordered drinks and food as fear of her never coming back set in. The margarita and tequila list is extensive. The restaurant serves over 100 types of tequilas. They feature a tequila on tap served at a chilled 15 degrees. Yes we ordered it, and yes because it took a while, it was not so chilled. We chose the Citrus Margarita (corzo silver, organic agave nectar, fresh squeezed orange & lime juice), Modern Paloma (gran centenario, ruby red grapefruit, fresh squeezed lime juice, grapefruit soda), the Ultimate 1800 Margarita (1800 reposado, Grand Marnier, fresh squeezed lime juice), and a few cervezas. The restaurant was out of all frozen margaritas, which would have changed our orders a bit. They ran out of Dos Equis as well, but luckily had plenty more to choose from. The drink menu features tequila flights, which for any tequila lover should be tried. We stuck with the mixed creations of margaritas. The best by far was the Paloma. Great balance with the essence of grapefruit. For food, we started with the Good Karma guacamole. This guac is mixed to order on a guacamole cart. Fifty cents from every good karma guacamole order supports Urban Roots, a youth development program in Austin that teaches sustainable farming. Not only is it heavenly, but you feel good eating it. Our guac cart guy even juggled for us, yes juggled. We had the Classic Queso as well. Beef chorizo, wild mushroom, and spinach artichoke are other queso choices. You can go for the queso flight if you're feeling cheesy. For entrees, many of us chose the Taco Platter (3 tacos and choice of side). We picked everything thing from Corn Crusted Chicken (roasted coriander and cumin, pickled red onions, pobalno ranch sauce), BBQ Pulled Pork (brushed with BBQ ranchera sauce, pickled red onions, jalepeno relish), Korean Short Ribs (beef short ribs brushed with korean bbq glaze, TNT kim chee relish), and Rojo Shrimp (jicama slaw, guajillo mayo, mango relish, rubbed in recado rojo seasoning, brushed with ginger chipotle baste). Big side pick were the Black bean adobe pie and Ginger Rice. Fantatic! I was a fan of the ginger rice for sure. Another entree pick was the Mixed Grill Skewer Platter (chile glazed steak, chipolte chicken, rojo shrimp with chimayo market corn). Great presentation and all really tasty. The Chimayo market corn is similar to the roasted corn with mayonnaise and chili found at the Fiesta mart in town. Not as good, but still delicious. Yes mayo and chile are amazing on corn. The favorites were the Corn Crusted Chicken and Korean Short Ribs hands down. We ordered a few more drinks and peopled watched galore. Apparently happy hour is awesome at TNT. Complimentary quesadillas from 4-6:30 and $4 Blue Margartias and more with $2.25Draft Beer. Not bad at all. We all agreed we'd like to head back in a month or two when the kinks have been worked out. Affordable and tasty. Definitely a great place to incorporate in your Downtown Austin eating.

Top Picks: Taco Platter with Corn Crusted Chicken, Korean Short Ribs, Chipolte Chicken (not ordered but recommended), Ginger Rice, Good Karma Guacomole, Paloma.

TNT (Tacos & Tequila)
Twitter: @TnTacosTequila

Urban Roots

May '10

Zax Restaurant & Bar

May 21st, 2010

It was time to hit the patio in Austin before the triple digit heats welcomed their way into town. The perfect place to do so? Zax Restaurant and Bar. We headed to our seats on the restaurant's back patio, and were pleasantly greeted with the rocking sounds from Threadgill's across the street. It was our own private concert. We started the night with vino, beers (they offer several delicious local beers on tap), and cocktails. Appetizers were a must and we jumped in with Steamed Mussels (White wine, garlic, shallots, butter and parsley, saffron infused curry sauce), Grilled Polenta (Melted bleu cheese, marinara), an olive & cheese platter (Sourdough baguette, marinated green and Kalamata olives, selection of cheeses). Recommendations run high with these! The mussels were so delightful and swam in their garlic and white wine flavors. The polenta was creamy and fantastic with the blue cheese and marinara. We continued dining on Mushroom Cheeseburgers, Spinach Artichoke Pizza, Steak Salad (NY strip, crispy fried onion rings, mixed greens, bleu cheese, tomatoes, balsamic vinaigrette), Brick Chicken (Chili rubbed, semi-boneless chicken breast grilled with brick press, creamy polenta), Grilled Pork Tenderloin (Spicy Thai peanut sauce, rum mashed sweet potatoes), Beef Tenderloin Skewers (Wild mushroom red wine reduction, bacon poblano-cheddar potato cake), Blues Burger (Onion rings, blue cheese, crushed black pepper, mustard), Pan Seared Duck Breast (Green peppercorn mustard sauce, wild mushroom risotto), Shrimp Salad, Steak au Poivre with & Frites (New York strip, classic brandy peppercorn demi-glace, house frites), and the Fish special with cream sauce and lump crab. It was all quite tasty. The only disappointments were the shrimp salad and fish special, but everything else rocked it. The steak was one of the biggest hits. The husband and wife owners of Zax got the name for the restaurant from their very own son, Zack. Definitely stop by, say hi, grab a beer, lunch, or check out their full brunch spread. You'll feel right at home. We finished the night at the newly opened Townhouse bar in Austin. A great spot for eclectic cocktails that come in all different glasses (copper cups included), and a dark intriguing setting. The smells of bruleed orange may greet you, don't worry it's all part of the cocktail creations that are endless. Enjoy!

Top Picks: Steamed Mussels, Grilled Polenta, Steak au Poivre & Frites, Spinach Artichoke and Goat Cheese Pizza

Zax Restaurant and Bar
Twitter: @zaxaustin

Townhouse Bar 303 W. 5th St.