2.17.2006

Tuewednesthur

Pronounced: Too-wed-ness-thur

The middle of the week when in grad school; a 72-hour day that begins at 12am Tuesday morning and ends at midnight on Thursday. Characterized by sleep-deprivation, slurred speech and an inability to determine what time or day it is. The detrimental effects of Tuewednesthur can be combatted with protien bars, green tea, and catnaps.

2.16.2006

Austin Food Bytes – Get out of your lunchtime rut and try something new!

Bombay Bistro

10710 Research Blvd. #126
(512) 342-2290
Lunch: Monday-Friday, 11:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m.; Saturday-Sunday, 11:30 a.m.-3:00 p.m.
Dinner: Sunday-Thursday, 5:30-10:00 p.m.; Friday-Saturday, 5:30-10:30 p.m.


There’s a new game in town for Indian food, and it's just a hop – not even a skip or a jump – from NI. It's called Bombay Bistro, and it's in the HEB shopping center at Braker and 183. It's been open for three months, and it's already jam-packed during peak hours. For that reason, I suggest you try your luck before 11:30 a.m. or after 12:45 p.m. Because of the high demand and recent opening, service is still not completely off the ground, but the management is highly attentive and willing to do anything they can to make your meal more enjoyable.

I forayed out with two colleagues after reading a review in the Austin Chronicle two weeks ago. The review covers a great many items on the dinner menu that I have not yet tried. We had the opportunity to try Bombay Bistro's excellent lunch buffet. The dishes are all in individual chafing dishes, which makes for an elegant display. Your journey along the generous and meandering buffet also takes you past a window into their spotless kitchen, from which items are constantly replenished. One of the highlights of our meal was the Papadam with Chutneys. Papadam is a large, crunchy chip made from lentil flour, and chutneys are relishes – in this case a sweet, dark red, tamarind-based relish that was lovely, and a spicy chili and turmeric chutney that was unusual and highly flavorful. The chutneys are also good for dipping pakoras, assorted vegetables fried in a tasty, spicy batter flavored with cumin. The Chicken Tikka was one of the best I've had – tender pieces of chicken in a tomato-coconut milk curry, infused with cardamom and other spices. While you're there, be sure to sample their excellent Nan, a flavorful, grilled Indian flatbread. The buffet also featured a small dessert table displaying Kheer (Indian rice pudding) and fresh fruit.

Bombay Bistro is a welcome addition to the North Austin area. If you're in the mood for something tasty and authentic, be sure to give it a try.

2.10.2006

I love lists. Doesn't everyone love lists? I don't know, but I do. I've been updating my Listmania! lists on Amazon.com. If you like the sci-fi/fantasy, check out this one.

2.09.2006

Austin Food Bytes - Laissez les Bon Temps Roulez!


Finding a bit of the Big Easy in Austin is no mean feat. Often imitated but never duplicated, New Orleans has always been home to some of the most distinctive culture, music, and food in the United States. I've searched long and hard to find you some recommendations for places to get a little (or big) taste of NOLA right here in Austin. As Mardi Gras approaches, keep an eye out for special items around town as well.


Evangeline Café
8106 Brodie Lane
Austin, TX 78745
(512) 282-2586
Monday-Thursday, 11:00 a.m.-9:30 p.m.
Friday, 11:00 a.m.-10:00 p.m. (On Fridays, music starts at 10:00 p.m. when the kitchen closes.)
Saturday 11:00 a.m.-9:30 p.m.

Evangeline Café is a funky little South Austin joint, often filled to capacity with neighborhood locals. Eclectic swampy bayou decor and live music creates Cajun country ambience, but the food is what brings people back. The fried oyster po-boy is delicious – be sure to get it with Evangeline Sauce. Dressed with lettuce and tomato on a soft French roll, the oysters are perfectly crispy and warm, and the portions are generous. If you're not in the mood for fried food, try the grilled shrimp plate – spicy and extremely flavorful shrimp are served with dirty rice, a roll, and a side salad. The desserts are legendary, but unfortunately I was too full from dinner to try them. Next time, I'm leaving room for the bread pudding, which looked wonderful.

Crescent City Beignets
1211 West 6th Street #100
Austin, TX 78703
(512) 472-9622
Sunday-Thursday, 7:00 a.m.-10:00 p.m.
Friday-Saturday, 7:00 a.m.-11:00 p.m.

Crescent City Beignets is a franchise with a local branch on bustling West 6th Street. Ample parking is a plus. The decor is simple café-style with black and white pictures of old New Orleans. The service can be a little inconsistent, but I like the food and I especially recommend the café au lait with an order of beignets. (Beignets, for the uninitiated, are fluffy pillows of fried dough, doused in powdered sugar. They are especially good with rich and creamy café au lait or hot chocolate.) Crescent City also has an excellent salad, the Sensation Salad with grilled chicken. The dressing is lovely, and it's served with four decadent hush puppies. The cafe usually also has a couple entree item choices – gumbos, étouffées, and beans and rice that can be purchased in large or small portions.
Note: I found out from several of my readers that the Austin branch closed before xmas :(

DIY
If you'd rather create your own New Orleans experience, local stores carry several Louisiana staples. Central Market stocks beignet mix and coffee from the famous Café du Monde in the French Quarter. To make your own café au lait, brew your coffee quite strong, and mix it with a combination of hot milk and half-and-half. This time of year, Central Market and Sweetish Hill both carry King Cakes – ring-shaped cakes covered with purple, green, and gold sugar. Sometimes the cakes are filled with custard, but they always include a little plastic baby, which you insert at the bottom of the cake. A Mardi Gras tradition, whoever gets the piece with the baby has to buy the King Cake next year. Most grocery stores carry Zatarain's mixes and spices. For an authentic shrimp boil, purchase fresh shrimp with the shells on and boil in water spiced with Zatarain's Shrimp and Crab Boil.