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February 2009
Barrel-ready projects
Wine barrels decorated by Austin folk-mom Sara Hickman, painter Bill Stidham, “Women & Wine” painter Kathy Womack and more than 20 other creative souls will find new life with the “Barrels Across Texas” fund-raising project that’s part of the Texas Hill Country Food and Wine Festival (April 16-19).
Two of the barrels will be displayed this Saturday at the Art Alliance Austin Art Night event, and the others will be displayed around town until they’re auctioned April 23, with proceeds benefiting Dell Children’s Hospital, Capital Area Food Bank, Texas Hill Country Wine and Food Festival and Art Alliance Austin.
(Barrel images from www.barrelsacrosstexas.com)
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Behold the power of The Cone
The Hudson’s on the Bend hot and crunchy chicken cones (above) loved so much by Austin City Limits Festival veterans step outside the festival gates with the scheduled opening on March 12 (delayed by permits from its originally scheduled March 10 opening) of the Mighty Cone trailer at South Congress Avenue and Monroe Street, next to Hey Cupcake. Featuring tortillas loaded with chicken, shrimp or avocado battered with almonds, sesame seeds, corn flakes, chili flakes and sugar and lightly fried, the cones offer a taste — for less than $10 — of what owner Jeff Blank and executive chef Robert Rhoades produce at the upscale restaurant near Lake Travis. (American-Statesman photo by Larry Kolvoord)
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Yelp if you love SXSW
Between the swooners and the screamers, Yelp can be a love-hate proposition for the people who run restaurants. The smartest ones comb through it looking for the kind of thoughtful, funny, knowledgeable, even lyrical reviews laid down by Kevin Newsum.
Newsum gives back the community with Yelper events. Now he’s lined up something for Yelpers and civilians alike in honor of South by Southwest: 14 of Austin’s most progressive restaurants are teaming with Yelp to offer at least one menu item for half-price from March 13th to 22nd.
At Uchi, a $14 Shag Roll will be $7. At Paggi House, get the $14 tuna tartare for $7. Sugar Mama’s Bakeshop will let go of Guinness-laced Black & Tan cupcake for half of its $2.50 regular price.
The list runs up and down the price scale. See for yourself here. And be sure to give a shout-out to Kevin N. I can’t wait to see where he goes next.
(Images from Yelp.com)
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Masters dinner at the Texas Wine & Food Fest
The Texas Hill Country Wine & Food Festival doesn’t happen until mid-April, but now is the time to make reservations for the Texas Culinary Masters dinner. On April 16 at the Four Seasons Hotel, chefs John Tesar (formerly of the Mansion on Turtle Creek in Dallas), Tyson Cole of Uchi, Paul Petersen of the Gage Hotel in Marathon and Four Seasons executive chef Elmar Prambs and pastry chef Naomi Gallego will cook a multicourse dinner with wine pairings for $150 per person. Reservations at www.texaswineandfood.org.
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Seconds for Roaring Fork and Chinatown
(This rendering by DPA Architects shows the patio of the new Roaring Fork Stonelake overlooking Quarry Lake.)
The Roaring Fork, founded by restaurateur Guy Villavaso and Austinite Larry Foles, will open a second Austin location in early April. The new Roaring Fork, in Northwest Austin at 10850 Stonelake Blvd., will join locations in Arizona, San Antonio and at 701 Congress Ave. in Austin. The 7,600-square-foot building, along with a 2,800-square-foot patio, will seat 441 people and feature views of nearby Quarry Lake. Direct job inquiries to 342-2700.
Ronald Cheng’s Chinatown restaurant has opened downtown at 107 W. Fifth St., around the corner from Kenichi. A sister to the Chinatown location at 3407 Greystone Drive, the downtown location offers delivery for lunch and dinner and will stay open until 2:30 a.m. Thursday-Saturday. (637-8888, www.chinatown-mopac.com.)
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Austin Restaurant Week returns
Crab cake, duck breast and white chocolate fondue at the Mansion at Judges’ Hill Restaurant for $25? Believe it during Austin Restaurant Week, which returns Sunday, March 1, for another round of three-course meals at some of Austin’s best restaurants for $25 or $35.
Patterned after New York City’s Restaurant Week, the Austin event was started in October 2008 by Rare magazine publisher Matt Swinney and features more than 40 venues.
The preset menus — which offer a choice of appetizers, main courses and desserts — are available March 1-4 and again March 8-11, and reservations are accepted. See the complete list of venues at www.restaurantweekaustin.com. Highlights include:
• Tempura lobster tail, flatiron steak and bread pudding at Green Pastures ($25).
• Crispy bone marrow, halibut cheeks and Chocolate Intemperance at Jeffrey’s ($35).
• Mussels, spinach-artichoke ravioli and tiramisu at Siena ($35).
• Corn fritters, meatloaf and ginger-buttermilk pie at the Woodland ($25).
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Royal Blue Grocery opens second store
(Photo by Mike Sutter)
Residents of the 360 condominium project have reason to rejoice with the opening of a second Royal Blue Grocery on the ground floor of the tower at 360 Nueces St. The original store, just a few blocks away at 247 W. Third St., will benefit from the new location, too, because No. 2 will have a kitchen to help supply the original with more grab-and-go foods.
The new Royal Blue is open 7 a.m. to midnight daily, and charismatic co-owner George Scariano Jr. says the kitchen — which will prepare Thai food, tacos, soups, salads and sandwiches for the carryout case — will get into high gear gear sometime this week.
In the meantime, visitors can shop for produce, dairy and a well-selected stock of the foods you’d expect from a smart grocer, plus pizza from East Side Pies by the slice. The store’s license allows shoppers to pick a bottle of wine from a thoughtfully curated and priced selection to drink inside or on the patio, with no corkage fee.
Royal Blue Grocery is at 360 Nueces St., Suite 1A, 476-5700, and at 247 W. Third St., 499-3993. Both are open 7 a.m. to midnight daily. www.royalbluegrocery.com.
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One Shot Wonder: Jaime’s Spanish Village
As a prelude to an upcoming One Dish Wonder review of Jaime’s Spanish Village on Red River Street, here’s a look at the dish I’ll review: the Spanish Village dinner.
For $12.25, you get two plates’ worth of old-school Tex-Mex: tamale, two beef enchiladas, rice and beans, chips and queso, guacamole and a crispy beef taco. The rocks margarita (less sweet, more tart than most) is $6.
Find it at 802 Red River St., across from Stubb’s.476-5149, www.jaimes-austin.com. They’re open every day except Sunday, and only for lunch on Monday. (Photo by Mike Sutter)
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Beer and chocolate at NXNW
North by Northwest Restaurant and Brewery wants to bring beer and chocolate closer together Saturday with its second of three beer education classes. The 11 a.m. class at the restaurant, 10010 N. Capital of Texas Highway (Loop 360), will pair chocolates with housemade NXNW beers for $35 per person. Call 467-6969 for reservations.
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Messina Hof at Mesa Ranch on Thursday
I just got word on this Messina Hof wine dinner at Mesa Ranch North on Thursday night. Seems like a great deal with some interesting wines for just $50 per person, so I’m putting the full menu here.
The dinner starts at 6:30 p.m. at Mesa Ranch North (8108 Mesa Drive, No. C100. www.mesaranchaustin.com. Call 853-9480 for reservations.) Incidentally, Mesa Ranch South (916-8787) is having a wine dinner on Thursday, too, but I don’t have those details.
Messina Hof wine dinner at Mesa Ranch North
Appetizer - Fried Cactus with Shiner Bock Queso & Tequila Ranch Dressing, Jalapeno & Cheese Elk Sausage Bites
Paired with Messina Hof Gewurztraminer, Texas, 2006
Salad- Southwest Caesar Salad
Paired with Messina Hof Pinot Grigio, Texas, 2006
Entree - Grilled Tenderloin Filet with Burgundy Mushroom Sauce
& Grilled Semi Boneless Texas Quail with Cactus Sangria Glaze, Potatoes Au Gratin
Messina Hof Barrel Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon, Texas, 2005
Messina Hof Barrel Reserve Merlot, Texas, 2006
Dessert - Triple Chocolate Cake or New York Cheesecake
Paired with Messina Hof Papa Paulo Port Private Reserve Texas, 2004
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Tacos with skillz: Izzoz
(Former Cedar Grove Steakhouse chef-owner John Galindo has parked his 42-foot Izzoz Tacos trailer on South First Street, ready with tacos to suit Tex-Mex, interior Mexican and West Coast tastes. Photos by Mike Sutter.)
South First Street is a paved buffet of places to get a taco: Torchy’s, Polvo’s, La Mexicana Bakery, Taquerias Arandas, et al. But there’s always room for more, right? Especially when the taco slinger is John Galindo, the well-reviewed former chef-owner of the Cedar Grove Steakhouse in Wimberley.
Galindo’s 42-foot blue trailer at 1207 S. First St. is called Izzoz Tacos. That’s “EEE-zoes,” short for “mellizos,” the Spanish word for fraternal twins, in honor of his sister’s children. Family connections run through Galindo’s restaurant career, which has included dishwashing duties at his parents’ former Casa Loma restaurant in Wimberley, progressing through his stewardship of Cedar Grove, which his family sold to the property owner in 2007.
After almost a year cooking at North at the Domain, Galindo opened Izzoz the day after Christmas last year, and his three-tiered taco tactic was born. For Tex-Mex fans, Galindo sears chicken and beef fajita tacos and fresh-fries corn tortillas for crispy beef tacos. Interior Mexican cooking gets its pork on with the Padre, a braised and roasted pork shoulder with avocado, pineapple and creamy tomatillo salsa. The taco triad’s third approach brings in California and the Southwest with tilapia, shrimp tempura and fried avocado tacos.
Breakfast tacos with cage-free eggs and handmade chorizo, along with bulging sandwiches and hand-cut garlic fries round out the menu. Breakfast tacos start at $1.75, other tacos range from $2 to $4 and sandwiches are $5.50 to $6, with fries. Open 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Tuesday-Fridays, 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Saturdays-Sundays. Closed Mondays. Phone 326-4996.
(Update: Izzoz Tacos has moved to 1503 S. First St., 916-4996.)
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Preset bliss on 34th Street
(All this for $24? At 34th Street Cafe, the Monday night preset menu will make you feel well-bred, well-connected and well-fed. Photos by Mike Sutter.)
At the risk of scooping my own beloved XL, I have to post this One Dish Wonders review of 34th Street Cafe’s $24 Monday night preset menu RIGHT NOW, while you’ve still got time to go. They do a preset special on Tuesday, too. Read on …
One Dish Wonders: 34th Street Cafe
If you already know about Monday nights at the intimate 34th Street Cafe, you’re not going to be happy about other people crowding your action. But it’s time to talk about the $24 preset menu. The one that comes with an appetizer, salad and salmon with two sides PLUS a glass of wine. I looked at the menu and did some quick math, and this living-room set of a dinner would cost about $36 sold separately. This is the Rooms To Go of Monday-night dinner deals. Want a bedroom set to go with it? On Tuesday nights, the $24 preset menu replaces salmon with organic hanger steak with fries and green peppercorn sauce.
But we’re talking about Monday right now, which starts with a shrimp-skewer appetizer. Chef de cuisine Blake Moffitt calls this an amuse bouche. With two grilled shrimp (no actual skewer), two grilled scallions, three little roasted tomatoes and a tangy smoked paprika vinaigrette, it’s much more than that, with artful plating and a deft interplay of textures and seasonings. And it hits the table with three kinds of bread and a glass of house chardonnay — or merlot in my case, though I’m not sure why. The waiter realized the gaffe, but I didn’t want the wine going to waste. Besides, a glass of uncomplicated red isn’t going to hurt a nice piece of salmon.
Speaking of salmon, the waiter asked me how I wanted it cooked. I’ve never been asked that question. “Barely,” I said. My wish was granted, and the seared pink fish arrived lying across two grilled stalks of baby bok choy and finely grained tomato-orange couscous studded with pine nuts, all of it made even better by spicy Thai green coconut curry. The salmon was preceded by a Caesar salad with two wings of thin Parmesan-crusted toast, dressing with a light tang and get this: a bright silver anchovy filet. The separate flavors brought the room together for a smart, thoroughly satisfying dinner.
The preset menu is available from 6 to 9:30 p.m. Mondays (salmon) and Tuesdays (hanger steak), for as long as it draws people in to get a taste of what 34th Street Cafe can do, Moffitt said. And if the cafe can do that much with one room, imagine what it can do with the rest of the place.
(1005 W. 34th St. 371-3400, www.34thstreetcafe.com.)
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The Washington-Austin wine connection
The Washington Wine Commission loves Austin. Its research shows that we drink a fair amount of wine and that we don’t know everything there is to know about Washington wine. The good news is that their marketing efforts (those “Hi, I’m Sunny. You know, the Sun.” ads) have helped to give 74 percent of Austinites a favorable impression of the state’s grape-y gold, according to commission spokesman Ryan Pennington. More good news is that Austinites can test that impression firsthand at Taste Washington, Austin! on Feb. 20 from 6 to 9 p.m. at the Hilton Austin hotel at 500 E. Fourth St. The event, co-sponsored by the Wine & Food Foundation of Texas, will feature wines from more than 50 Washington producers and food from Stubb’s, Latin Café, Dagar’s Catering, Roy’s and Finn & Porter. Tickets are $50 for the public and $40 for foundation members. Reservations at 327-7555 or www.winefoodfoundation.org.
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Clearly, the Galaxy loves you
Throw in a whole bottle of wine with a dinner deal at a solid Austin nouveau diner, and you’ve got my attention. For Valentine’s Day, the Galaxy Cafe at Brodie (and only that location, blast it all) is putting on a killer spread for $70 a couple. That $70 buys a bottle of wine, soup or salad for each of you, entrees with two sides each and two desserts. The entree choices are seared flounder, beef Wellington (with pate in pastry) and a vegetarian roasted ratatouille tart. The salad is poached pear with greens, candied walnuts and pomegranate orange vinaigrette, and the soup is smoked sausage cassoulet stew. For dessert, choose tuile cookie and chocolate mousse napoleon or a toffee and chocolate-covered espresso bean cheesecake. Owner Kelly Chappell said the special runs from 5 to 10 p.m. Saturday, and no reservations are required. (Only at the Galaxy Cafe location at 9911 Brodie Lane, Suite 750. 233-6000, www.galaxycafeaustin.com.)
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Last-minute Valentine’s food ideas
(Heart-shaped doughnuts from Krispy Kreme.)
By now, you might have tried to get restaurant reservations for Saturday (Valentine’s Day there, loverboy). If you haven’t, good luck, and see my Valentine’s restaurant entry for possibilities. But if you need a last-minute sweet save, try these ideas:
• Amy’s Ice Creams (12 Austin locations; see www.amysicecreams.com): Last Valentine’s Day, Amy’s kept me from showing up empty-handed. They have chocolate-covered strawberries for $16 a dozen. Try ordering in advance today through Saturday. Or try just showing up. If they’re out of strawberries, there’s always ice cream.
• Krispy Kreme (701 E. Stassney Lane, 851-8888; 12586 Research Blvd., 219-0119; www.krispykreme.com.): A dozen of anything is romantic for Valentine’s Day, right? Krispy Kreme wants a piece of that action, offering heart-shaped doughnuts topped with icing and sprinkles by the dozen for $7.49. To sweeten the deal, Krispy Kreme is throwing in 12 Valentine’s Day cards with every dozen doughnuts. Each card has a coupon for a free doughnut.
• Mangia Chicago Stuffed Pizza: Mangia’s heart-shaped pizzas are baked (or half-baked, to be heated up at home) in the Chicago deep-dish style. See the entry here.
• Paciugo Italian Gelato (241 W. Second St., 474-7600; 13420 Galleria Circle, Suite 140 in the Hill Country Galleria, 402-9022; www.paciugo.com): Ice cream. As good as roses in a pinch and easier going down. For Valentine’s Day, the shops have added strawberry rose and amarena black cherry swirl gelatos to their already seductive lineup.
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Sweet science: Callie and Philip Speer
Callie and Philip Speer at home, and the “Thinking Outside the Box of Chocolates” dessert they created together. Photos by Larry Kolvoord and Mike Sutter.
In the Life & Food section on Wednesday (and at austin360.com/food before that), meet pastry chefs Callie and Philip Speer. She’s at Parkside, he’s at Uchi, both doing desserts that rival their main-course cousins for taste and art.
For this story, Philip and Callie agreed to collaborate on a dessert (something they hadn’t done before) for Valentine’s Day. They turned out 12 chocolate truffles packed with flavor pairings only they would think of. Bacon and chocolate? Curry? Avocado? Fizz powder? The project from start to finish took them only a couple of days, on top of two full-time jobs and a new baby girl, Lucia. I can’t find the time to go to Lamme’s and buy a box of chocolates, much less conceive and create “Thinking Outside the Box of Chocolates.”
Here’s a preview of the truffle lineup from the photo above. From left, starting with the BOTTOM ROW: champagne truffle with strawberry fizz powder, a chocolate truffle with crystallized ginger and a crispy rice truffle. SECOND ROW: a tonka bean truffle rolled in almond brittle, a root beer truffle with white chocolate and a mango-coffee truffle. THIRD ROW: Brown-butter truffle rolled in orange-coriander powder, inside-out red velvet cake truffle and a chocolate truffle with avocado and Hawaiian red salt. TOP ROW: Black garlic and chocolate truffle with cocoa nibs, bacon and chocolate truffle rolled in maple flakes and a red curry and chocolate truffle rolled in peanut brittle.
And though you won’t be able to buy these truffles anywhere (please, please put the red velvet truffles on the menu someday), they say a lot about what a couple can do when they work together, Valentine-style.
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Cissi’s set for Valentine’s, without Sean Fulford
A routine entry today about the Valentine’s menu at Cissi’s Wine Bar (1400 S. Congress Ave, 225-0521, www.cissismarket.com) has yielded a surprising kernel of news. Noted Vin Bistro veteran chef Sean Fulford will not be taking over the kitchen at Cissi’s, despite earlier reports. A Cissi’s spokesperson said Fulford “very recently decided to pursue other career options.” Fulford had been picked to replace Deegan McClung at Cissi’s after McClung left to become executive chef at Jeffrey’s.
In the meantime, sous chef Rebecca Meeker is overseeing the menu at Cissi’s, including the four-course Valentine’s prix fixe dinner Friday and Saturday (Feb. 13-14). Seatings are from 6 to 10 p.m. for a menu that includes red beet carpaccio, cream of turnip soup, pan-seared duck confit with roasted strawberries and a chocolate-tasting trio from pastry chef Faith Chan. The price is $45 per person/$75 with wine pairings. Reservations by e-mail at kwallace@cissismarket.com.
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Valentine’s pizza: It’s the shape that counts
Austin-based Mangia is putting its heart where your mouth is. Photo by Mike Sutter.
Heart-shaped food is better than a card any day. Ask any guy. But heart-shaped pizza? No wonder Mangia sells more pizza on Valentine’s Day than it does on Super Bowl Sunday.
Mangia’s heart-shaped pizzas are baked (or half-baked, to be heated up at home) in the Chicago deep-dish style and cost the same as their round (and less romantic) medium and large deep-dish cousins. A medium deep-dish cheese starts at $16.90 and goes up to $26.15 with five ingredients, according to menus online at www.mangiapizza.com. Large deep-dishers run $19.25 to $29.75. The heart-shaped pies are available all year and can be shipped nationwide or catered in.
For $9.95, Mangia will add two salads and a heart-shaped brownie, whether you dine in, pick up or order delivery through its five Austin-Round Rock locations:
• 3016 Guadalupe St., Suite 100; 302-5200
• 2401 Lake Austin, 478-6600
• 8012 Mesa Drive, 349-2126
• 12001 Burnet Road, 832-5550
• 1700 E. Palm Valley, No. 300; Round Rock; 238-6300
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Restaurant deals: The big fat master list
The grandmasters of the deals on this seven-day list are the $2.99 plates at Bill Miller’s Bar-B-Q, which include a side, bread and a big glass of sweet tea. Photo by Mike Sutter.
Rather than making you jump all over the site to find great restaurant deals by day of the week, I’ve gathered all seven days in this one file. At the bottom of this post, there are addresses and phone numbers for each of the places in the list.
I’ll repeat the caveat to double-check these before you go, before you sit down, before you order. Because restaurant fortunes change week to week, and sometimes their specials do, too. Cheers.
SUNDAY
• Alligator Grill: (3 to 7 p.m.) This is pure happy-hour business, because the Alligator insists you buy an alcoholic drink or a full-price dish to partake, but it’s worth mentioning. From 3 to 7 p.m. daily (and all day on Tuesday), pay just 20 cents for shrimp and 50 cents for oysters and wings.
• Aussie’s Grill & Beachbar: (11 p.m. to 2 a.m.) The menu is a daily scattershot of lunch and dinner specials, including $5.99 chicken-fried steak and $6.99 fish and chips. But the reason it makes this list is for the daily 11 p.m. to 2 a.m. late-night half-price appetizers (Southwest egg rolls or fried crawfish tails for $4? OK.).
• Bill Miller Bar-B-Q: In what might be the granddaddy of deals in this entire list, Bill Miller Bar-B-Q steps up with $2.99 deals all day, every day, everywhere. That buys a meat, a side, a roll and a glass of tea. The choices: a sliced beef sandwich, two pieces of fried chicken, half a sausage link (two sides) or chicken strips.
• Chon Som Asian Cuisine and Sushi Bar: (5 to 7 p.m.) About a dozen kinds of sushi for $1 during happy hour, from 5 to 7 p.m. Tuesday-Sunday. Plus $2 sake bombs.
• The Daily Grill: (4 p.m. to close) The people at the Daily Grill have clearly lost their minds, a dollar at a time. For $1.94, the happy-hour menu includes fried calamari, a hummus plate and Parmesan-crusted chicken sandwiches. At $2.94, take your pick of spinach artichoke dip, ahi sashimi or chicken pot pie. And this is no blink-and-you-miss-it special: 4 to 7 p.m. and 9 p.m. to close Monday-Friday and 4 p.m. to close Saturday-Sunday. Further evidence of insanity: a $2 all-day kids’ menu that includes entree, drink and dessert.
• Eddie V’s Edgewater Grill: (4:30 p.m. to close) Another place that works like a street dealer in a ’70s drug movie, offering a taste for half-price (there’s even some jazzy background music). They know you’ll be back for more. Half-price ahi tartare, a Maryland crab cake, Maine lobster-and-shrimp bisque and more during happy hour. Plus $1 off drinks.
• Hayashi Modern Japanese Cuisine: (all day) $5 sushi rolls (crunchy spicy crab, spicy tuna, eel avocado, seven spice), $5 calamari and kobe sliders and $2.50 house wine by the glass.
• Imperia: (5:30 p.m. to close) It’s nice to find low-cost entry points in a high-end place. How’s this? Imperia’s $12.95 sea bass skewers are $5 during happy hour. So are specialty martinis, including the Imperia Pearl (Grey Goose and Nigori sake), and small plates like buttery edamame potstickers or a Black Angus rib-eye roll.
• Jeffrey’s: (5 to 7 p.m.) When one of the best restaurants in town says, “Have some foie gras pate for $8.50,” the correct answer is, “OK, when?” or “Really?” From 5 to 7 p.m. Sunday-Friday and 9 to 10:30 p.m. Saturday, Jeffrey’s offers a half-price happy-hour menu in the bar. Other choices include risotto and duck sausage croquettes ($6), wagyu hanger steak and fries ($14) and a mini bison burger with blue cheese ($3.50).
• Kenobi Restaurant & Sushi Bar: (all day) Appetizers (like Asian short ribs, sesame scallops and dumplings with lobster and shrimp) are $5, and four types of sushi rolls (California, Philadelphia, spicy tuna, shrimp tempura) are $5.
• Louie’s 106: Bottles of wine are 50 percent off.
• Manuel’s: (4 to 6 p.m.) Half-price appetizers, $4 house margaritas.
• McCormick & Schmick’s: (Congress Avenue: 5 p.m. to close. Domain: 3 to 5 p.m.) Insane happy-hour menus, with equally head-spinning schedules. The $1.95 menu includes tomato bruschetta and chicken satay. For $2.95, a half-pound cheeseburger with fries joins the fray. At $3.95, add red curry mussels. And for $4.95, choose from a lamb gyro, cheeseburger sliders and Baja fish tacos.
• Momiji Hibachi & Sushi: (5 p.m. to close) Half-price sushi.
• Olivia: The small bar at the entrance serves its own limited menu, including lamb sliders ($9), a bowl of fries ($5) and a cheese and charcuterie platter ($14). The bar menu and bottles of sparkling wine are discounted 30 percent, and beer is $1 off.
• Red House Pizzeria: (5 to 7 p.m.) The best parts of the late Stortini Italian bistro live on at Red House, where pizza is half-price every day from 5 to 7 p.m., making a large sausage with roasted red peppers a mere $8.75.
• Red Robin: “All day every day” is a sentiment I can get behind. At Red Robin, they combine that sentiment with a family restaurant aesthetic, and what you get is a free kids’ meal (12 and younger) with the purchase of an adult entree. The options include spaghetti, a burger and chicken tenders, plus a side (fries, apple slices, carrots with ranch) and a bottomless drink.
• Roaring Fork: (4:30 to close) This Southwestern standout shows off with happy-hour specials that range from green chile pork stew for $6 (regularly $10) to a giant burger for $8 (regularly $13) and a fondue pot with lamb chops for $8 (usually $14).
• Rome’s Pizza: Buy a large pizza and get a second large at half-price.
• Shoal Creek Saloon: (after 4 p.m.) Chicken-fried steak with two sides, $6.99.
• 219 West: During happy hour (6 to 9 p.m. Sundays), appetizers from each of the six themed menus are half-off (plus 50 cents), which puts many of them in the $4 to $6 range. Highlights include chipotle mac and cheese, seafood beignets, calamari steak fingers, beef carpaccio and six kinds of mini burgers. Martinis start at $5, and select wine flights are $12 for five 2-ounce tastes.
MONDAY
• Abuelo’s: (11 a.m. to 3 p.m.) The best restaurant at Barton Creek mall does Mexican food in a big way, and when it starts tossing around a $6.99 price tag for plates that usually clock in closer to $10, it’s worth a look. For a limited time, Abuelo’s is offering lunches like a nine-layer Mexican stack, an El Paso burrito and a chimichanga for $6.99.
• Alligator Grill: (3 to 7 p.m.) 20-cent shrimp, 50-cent oysters and wings.
• Athenian Grill: Off and running at its new Congress Avenue spot, this Greek favorite wasted no time offering $5 food and drink specials and $10 bottles of Greek wine Monday-Friday from 4 to 7 p.m. The $5 menu includes a kabob plate, spinach pie, Greek meatballs and a killer chicken salad. $5 drinks include a Mediterranean margarita and something called “Ouzo Greek Lightning.”
• Aussie’s Grill & Beachbar: (11 p.m. to 2 a.m.) Late-night half-price appetizers.
• Austin Land & Cattle: (5 to 7 p.m.) Austin’s family-owned carnivore’s carnival puts samples of some of its best work on sale during happy hour. From the bar menu, a steak sampler of filet, rib-eye and sirloin is $9, Buffalo-style lambchops slim down to $12, and hand-cut burgers (including the Redeye, with crispy fried greens and a sunny-side egg) are half-price, which puts one in your hands for $5 or less. Also, Tito’s martinis are $5.
• Bill Miller Bar-B-Q: (all day) $2.99 plates with a side, roll and tea.
• Brick Oven Restaurant: Buy a large pizza and get a medium pizza of equal or lesser value free.
• Cannoli Joe’s: (11 a.m. to 2 p.m.) Quality Italian lunch buffet for $9.99 ($5.99 for kids 12 and younger, free if they’re 3 or younger).
• Chez Zee: (3 to 6 p.m.) $4.50 will buy crab quesadillas, a basil cheese torta or chicken beignets during happy hour, when they and a host of other appetizers are half-price. Pair them with $3 frozen drinks and house wines.
• Chuy’s: (4 to 7 p.m.) Say it with me: “Nacho car.” Ride along with free chips, queso, salsa, beef and beans in the bar area. Sweet house margaritas are $3.50.
• Cuba Libre: (4 p.m. to close) This half-price appetizer deal gets its mojo from the bar’s Cubanesque flair. The choices include plantain chips and lump crab tostados, and specialty martinis are $5.
• Cypress Grill: (5 p.m. to close) Half-price wine by the glass or bottle.
• The Daily Grill: (4 to 7 p.m. and 9 p.m. to close.) Happy-hour specials from $1.94 to $2.94. $2 all-day kids’ menu.
• Doc’s Motorworks: Patios with bright retro patio chairs and solid beer-food get even better on Mondays, with two-for-one burgers and $2.50 pints of Bud.
• Eddie V’s Edgewater Grill: (4:30 p.m. to close) Half-price appetizers, $1 off drinks.
• El Arroyo: Burgers are two-for-one from 5 p.m. to close, and Tecates are $1 all day long.
• Freddie’s Place: South Austin gets its weirdness on with $2 frozen margaritas, well drinks, Jack-and-lemonade slushies and tall boys all day (the rest of the week, it’s only 4 to 7 p.m., so lucky you). Happy-hour customers get free brisket and wings starting at 6 p.m. “until it runs out.”
• Green Mesquite BBQ & More: The dark-horse, mack-daddy deal of them all? All-you-can-eat barbecue for $10.99.
• Haiku Japanese Restaurant: (4 to 6:30 p.m.) Sushi rolls are $2.99, sushi is $1.50 per piece and beer is $2 a bottle.
• Hang Town Grill: (4 p.m. to close, both locations) Kids eat free at this family-oriented burger, fish tacos and pizza restaurant with the purchase of an adult entree.
• Hayashi Modern Japanese Cuisine: $5 sushi rolls, $5 sliders, $2.50 wine 3 to 6 p.m.
• Hut’s Hamburgers: Veggie burgers are two-for-one from 6 to 10 p.m.
• Imperia: (4 p.m. to close) $5 dim sum, small plates and specialty martinis. Two-for-one sushi until 7 p.m.
• Jeffrey’s: (5 to 7 p.m.) Half-price small-plates menu in the bar.
• Kenobi Restaurant & Sushi Bar: $5 appetizers and sushi rolls 4 to 7 p.m.
• La Familia: Lunch plates (11 a.m. to 3 p.m.) at this tucked-away gem are $4.99 and include rice and beans and iced tea. Choices include flautas and enchilada and taco combos.
• Louie’s 106: During happy hour (4 to 7 p.m.), appetizers from the dinner menu are half-price, landing most of them in the $4.25 to $5 range. Choices include smoked salmon crostini, crispy soft-shell crab, ahi tuna tartare, Prince Edward Island mussels, a jumbo lump crab and avocado salad and an antipasto platter. Cocktails and wines by the glass are 20 percent off.
• Manuel’s: (4 to 6 p.m.) Half-price appetizers, $4 house margaritas.
• McCormick & Schmick’s: (Congress Avenue: 4 p.m. to close. Domain: 3 to 6:30 p.m. and 9:30 to 11 p.m.) Happy-hour food deals from $1.95 to $4.95.
• Momiji Hibachi & Sushi: (5 p.m. to close) Half-price sushi.
• Olivia: 30 percent off the bar menu and bottles of sparkling wine. Beer is $1 off.
• Phoenicia Bakery and Deli: This Mediterranean market, besides being stacked high with Middlle Eastern, Greek and Persian specialties, sells a joyous array of sandwiches and pitas for less than $4: falafel, gyros, kaftas, corned beef, even prosciutto.
• Red House Pizzeria: (5 to 7 p.m.) Half-price pizza.
• Red Robin: (all day) Free kids’ meal (12 and younger) with purchase of an adult entree.
• Roaring Fork: (4:30 to close) Deeply discounted Southwestern specialties.
• Rome’s Pizza: Buy a large pizza and get a second large at half-price.
• Ruth’s Chris Steak House: (4:30 to 7 p.m.) It’s only one of the best and most enduring steak places in town. Which makes a deal at Ruth’s Chris worth paying attention to. From 4:30 to 7 p.m. Monday-Friday, appetizers from the bar menu are half-price. A sampling, all around $6 at happy hour: stuffed mushrooms with crab, seared ahi tuna, beef tenderloin kabobs. Also, and I had to ask twice to make sure, any martini in the house is $5.
• Sagra: Pizza is half-price and drinks are $2 off from 4 to 7 p.m. Monday-Friday. And for lunch, Sagra has rolled out a line of “Recession Lunches” for less than $10 Monday-Friday 11:30 a.m. to 3 p.m.
• Santa Rita Tex-Mex Cantina: After 3 p.m., fajitas for two are $11.95.
• Serranos: Buy one enchilada dinner, get one free. From 3 to 6:30 p.m., margaritas are $2.50, pints of Bud Light and Shiner Bock are $1.50, and nachos, quesadillas and flaquitos are $1.
• Shoal Creek Saloon: (all day) Chicken-fried steak with two sides, $6.99.
• 219 West: (5 to 9 p.m.) Appetizers are half-off (plus 50 cents). Martinis $5, wine flights $12.
• Z Tejas: Enough with the happy hours, already, right? Just one more, but I promise it’s worth it. From 4 to 7 p.m. Monday-Friday, Z Tejas makes half-price appetizers that tweak their Southwestern pedigrees: green chile pulled pork nachos, catfish beignets, shrimp-and-guacamole tostadas. None of the appetizers climbs much above $5 at half-price, and margaritas are $1 off.
TUESDAY
• Abuelo’s: (11 a.m. to 3 p.m.) $6.99 Mexican lunch specials.
• Alligator Grill: (all day) 20-cent shrimp, 50-cent oysters and wings.
• Aquarelle: (5 to 7 p.m.) The wine bar and patio at this upmarket French restaurant offers half-price dishes from the bar menu Tuesday-Saturday. But this is no ordinary wine bar, and these are no ordinary appetizers — mussels, a cheese plate, a croque monsieur sandwich — with none topping $6 after the discount.
• Athenian Grill: (4 to 7 p.m.) $5 food and drink specials and $10 bottles of Greek wine.
• Aussie’s Grill & Beachbar: (11 p.m. to 2 a.m.) Late-night half-price appetizers.
• Austin Land & Cattle: (5 to 7 p.m.) Bar-menu discounts, including half-price, hand-cut burgers.
• Bill Miller Bar-B-Q: (all day) $2.99 plates with a side, roll and tea.
• Brick Oven Restaurant: Choose from 10 bottles of wine for $10.
• Burger House: This no-nonsense burger stand does the two-for-one dance on Tuesday. Double the chili double cheeseburger for a modest $4.20.
• Cannoli Joe’s: (11 a.m. to 2 p.m.) It’s easy to dismiss a buffet as a human feedlot, no matter how much it costs. But I’ll vouch for Cannoli Joe’s at lunchtime, when their Italian buffet is only $9.99 ($5.99 for kids 12 and younger, free if they’re 3 or younger). From 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Monday-Friday (pricing and hours change for weekends and dinner), highlights at the plaza-style serving area include sausage and peppers, tangy bone-in pieces of chicken cacciatore, creamy rigatoni Bolognese and salads with fresh tomatoes, balsamic vinegar and mozzarella. My kids love the pizzas, the hand-dipped ice creams and the namesake cannoli.
• Central Market: (5 to 9 p.m.) At the north location of this grocery market/culinary safari park, kids eat free with the purchase of an adult entree.
• Chez Zee: (3 to 6 p.m.) Half-price appetizers, $3 frozen drinks, wells and wine.
• Chon Som Asian Cuisine and Sushi Bar: (5 to 7 p.m.) $1 sushi. $2 sake bombs.
• Chuy’s: (4 to 7 p.m.) Free chips, queso, salsa, beef and beans in the bar area. $3.50 margaritas.
• Cuba Libre: (4 to 7 p.m.) Half-price appetizers, $5 martinis, $3 draft beer.
• Cypress Grill: Sure, the Carino’s chain has “Two Can Dine for $19.99,” but for a penny more on Tuesday nights, this local Cajun spot will feed both of you with soup or salad, an entree (crawfish enchiladas, for example) and a dessert to share.
• The Daily Grill: (4 to 7 p.m. and 9 p.m. to close.) Happy-hour specials from $1.94 to $2.94. $2 all-day kids’ menu.
• Eddie V’s Edgewater Grill: (4:30 to 7 p.m.) Half-price appetizers, $1 off drinks.
• El Arroyo: From 5 p.m. to close, cheese enchiladas are two-for-one and margaritas are $1 from 2 to 6 p.m., then $2 from 6 to 7 p.m.
• Freddie’s Place: (4 to 7 p.m.) $2 frozen margaritas, wells, Jack-and-lemonade slushies and tall boys. Free brisket and wings starting at 6 p.m.
• Green Mesquite BBQ & More: All-you-can-eat barbecue for $10.99.
• Haiku Japanese Restaurant: (4 to 6:30 p.m.) Sushi rolls are $2.99, sushi is $1.50 per piece and beer is $2 a bottle.
• Hang Town Grill: (4 p.m. to close, Burnet Road location only) Kids eat free with the purchase of an adult entree.
• Hayashi Modern Japanese Cuisine: $5 sushi rolls, $5 sliders, $2.50 wine 3 to 6 p.m.
• Imperia: (4 to 7 p.m.) $5 dim sum, small plates and specialty martinis. Two-for-one sushi.
• The Jackalope: Half-price pizza night.
• Jeffrey’s: (5 to 7 p.m.) Half-price small-plates menu in the bar.
• Kenobi Restaurant & Sushi Bar: $5 appetizers and sushi rolls 4 to 7 p.m. $5 martinis.
• La Familia: Lunch plates (11 a.m. to 3 p.m.), $4.99.
• Louie’s 106: (4 to 7 p.m.) Half-price appetizers and 20 percent off cocktails and wines by the glass.
• Manuel’s: (4 to 6 p.m.) Half-price appetizers, $4 house margaritas.
• McCormick & Schmick’s: (Congress Avenue: 4 to 6:30 p.m. and 9 p.m. to close. Domain: 3 to 6:30 p.m. and 9:30 to 11 p.m.) Happy-hour food deals from $1.95 to $4.95.
• Momiji Hibachi & Sushi: (5 p.m. to close) Half-price sushi.
• Patsy’s Cowgirl Cafe: (5 to 10 p.m.) At Patsy’s, the burgers have names: Vince Young, Molly Ivins, Don Walser, Clifford Antone. And on Tuesdays from 5 to 10 p.m., their reflected glory is worth a 50 percent discount, making them all less than $4.
• Phoenicia Bakery and Deli: (all day) Mediterranean sandwiches and pitas for less than $4.
• Quality Seafood: (6 to 9 p.m.) Our favorite fish market and seafood dive puts Tuesdays on the map with $2 seafood tacos and $2 draft beer.
• Red House Pizzeria: (5 to 7 p.m.) Half-price pizza.
• Red Robin: (all day) Free kids’ meal (12 and younger) with purchase of an adult entree.
• Roaring Fork: (4:30 to 7 p.m.) Deeply discounted Southwestern specialties.
• Rome’s Pizza: The Austin branch of this minichain is running an everyday offer to buy a large pizza and get a second large at half-price. Good. Even better, kids 10 and younger eat free with the purchase of adult meal Tuesday and Wednesday from 4 to 8 p.m.
• Ruth’s Chris Steak House: (4:30 to 7 p.m.) Appetizers from the bar menu are half-price. Any martini in the house is $5.
• Sagra: Lean times can be fat and happy times, too. Find out how many mussels you can eat for $12 on Tuesdays at this rustic Italian bistro. Also: half-price pizza and $2 off drinks 4 to 7 p.m. “Recession Lunches” less than $10 from 11:30 a.m. to 3 p.m.
• Santa Rita Tex-Mex Cantina: (3 to 7 p.m.) $2 tacos and $2 Tecates.
• Serranos: (3 to 6:30 p.m.) $2.50 margaritas, $1.50 pints of Bud Light and Shiner Bock, $1 nachos, quesadillas and flaquitos.
• Shoal Creek Saloon: (all day) One-pound pork chop with mashed potatoes and green beans, $9.29.
• 219 West: (5 to 9 p.m.) Appetizers are half-off (plus 50 cents). Martinis $5, wine flights $12.
• Z Tejas: (4 to 7 p.m.) Half-price appetizers. $1 off margaritas.
WEDNESDAY
• Abuelo’s: (11 a.m. to 3 p.m.) $6.99 Mexican lunch specials.
• Alligator Grill: (3 to 7 p.m.) 20-cent shrimp, 50-cent oysters and wings. On Wednesdays, bottles of wine are half-price with an an entree.
• Aquarelle: (5 to 7 p.m.) Half-price dishes from the bar menu.
• Athenian Grill: (4 to 7p.m.) $5 food and drink specials and $10 bottles of Greek wine.
• Aussie’s Grill & Beachbar: (11 p.m. to 2 a.m.) Late-night half-price appetizers.
• Austin Land & Cattle: (5 to 7 p.m.) Bar-menu discounts, including half-price, hand-cut burgers.
• Bill Miller Bar-B-Q: (all day) $2.99 plates with a side, roll and tea.
• Cannoli Joe’s: (11 a.m. to 2 p.m.) Quality Italian lunch buffet for $9.99 ($5.99 for kids 12 and younger, free if they’re 3 or younger).
• Chez Zee: (3 to 6 p.m.) Half-price appetizers, $3 frozen drinks, wells and wine.
• Chon Som Asian Cuisine and Sushi Bar: (5 to 7 p.m.) $1 sushi. $2 sake bombs.
• Chuy’s: (4 to 7 p.m.) Free chips, queso, salsa, beef and beans in the bar area. $3.50 margaritas.
• Cuba Libre: (4 to 7 p.m.) Half-price appetizers, $5 martinis, $3 draft beer.
• The Daily Grill: (4 to 7 p.m. and 9 p.m. to close.) Happy-hour specials from $1.94 to $2.94. $2 all-day kids’ menu.
• Doc’s Motorworks: Pay just a dollar for crispy tacos and $2 for Mexican canned beers.
• Draught House Pub & Brewery: Like you need an excuse to hit a place with this many beers on draft, including six made in-house. But a dude’s gotta eat. And on Wednesday, the pizza’s free.
• Eddie V’s Edgewater Grill: (4:30 to 7 p.m.) Half-price appetizers, $1 off drinks.
• Freddie’s Place: (4 to 7 p.m.) $2 frozen margaritas, wells, Jack-and-lemonade slushies and tall boys. Free brisket and wings starting at 6 p.m.
• Haiku Japanese Restaurant: (4 to 6:30 p.m.) Sushi rolls are $2.99, sushi is $1.50 per piece and beer is $2 a bottle.
• Hayashi Modern Japanese Cuisine: $5 sushi rolls, $5 sliders, $2.50 wine 3 to 6 p.m.
• Hut’s Hamburgers: Most all the burgers at this mecca of meat on a bun are two-for-one from 6 to 10 p.m. A Ritchie Valens and a Wolfman Jack, please.
• Imperia: (4 to 7 p.m.) $5 dim sum, small plates and specialty martinis. Two-for-one sushi.
• Kenobi Restaurant & Sushi Bar: $5 appetizers and sushi rolls 4 to 7 p.m.
• The Jackalope: Two-for-one burgers on Wednesdays, including the fiery four chile burger and the crimini mushroom burger.
• Jeffrey’s: (5 to 7 p.m.) Half-price small-plates menu in the bar.
• La Familia: Lunch plates (11 a.m. to 3 p.m.), $4.99.
• Louie’s 106: (4 to 7 p.m.) Half-price appetizers and 20 percent off cocktails and wines by the glass.
• Manuel’s: (4 to 6 p.m.) Half-price appetizers, $4 house margaritas.
• McCormick & Schmick’s: (Congress Avenue: 4 to 6:30 p.m. and 9 p.m. to close. Domain: 3 to 6:30 p.m. and 9:30 to 11 p.m.) Happy-hour food deals from $1.95 to $4.95.
• Momiji Hibachi & Sushi: (5 p.m. to close) Half-price sushi.
• Parkside: The high life for half. From 5 p.m. to close, champagne and oysters are half-price at this minimalist wonder-bar and bistro on Sixth Street. The deal puts a half-dozen oysters within reach for six to eight bucks, and champagne by the glass as low as $3.50.
• Phoenicia Bakery and Deli: (all day) Mediterranean sandwiches and pitas for less than $4.
• Red House Pizzeria: (5 to 7 p.m.) Half-price pizza.
• Red Robin: (all day) Free kids’ meal (12 and younger) with purchase of an adult entree.
• Roaring Fork: (4:30 to 7 p.m.) Deeply discounted Southwestern specialties.
• Rome’s Pizza: Buy a large pizza and get a second large at half-price. Kids 10 and younger eat free with the purchase of adult meal from 4 to 8 p.m.
• Ruth’s Chris Steak House: (4:30 to 7 p.m.) Appetizers from the bar menu are half-price. Any martini in the house is $5.
• Sagra: Half-price pizza and $2 off drinks 4 to 7 p.m. “Recession Lunches” less than $10 from 11:30 a.m. to 3 p.m.
• Santa Rita Tex-Mex Cantina: (3 to 7 p.m.) Wings are 25 cents, and draft beers are $2.
• Serranos: Free child’s plate with an adult entree. From 3 to 6:30 p.m.: $2.50 margaritas, $1.50 pints of Bud Light and Shiner Bock, $1 nachos, quesadillas and flaquitos.
• Shoal Creek Saloon: (after 4 p.m.) One-pound pork chop with two sides, $9.29.
• 219 West: (5 to 9 p.m.) Appetizers are half-off (plus 50 cents). Martinis $5, wine flights $12.
• Z Tejas: (4 to 7 p.m.) Half-price appetizers. $1 off margaritas.
THURSDAY
• Abuelo’s: (11 a.m. to 3 p.m.) $6.99 Mexican lunch specials.
• Alligator Grill: (3 to 7 p.m.) 20-cent shrimp, 50-cent oysters and wings.
• Aquarelle: (5 to 7 p.m.) Half-price dishes from the bar menu.
• Athenian Grill: (4 to 7p.m.) $5 food and drink specials and $10 bottles of Greek wine.
• Aussie’s Grill & Beachbar: (11 p.m. to 2 a.m.) Late-night half-price appetizers.
• Austin Land & Cattle: (5 to 7 p.m.) Bar-menu discounts, including half-price, hand-cut burgers.
• Bill Miller Bar-B-Q: (all day) $2.99 plates with a side, roll and tea.
• Cannoli Joe’s: (11 a.m. to 2 p.m.) Quality Italian lunch buffet for $9.99 ($5.99 for kids 12 and younger, free if they’re 3 or younger).
• Chez Zee: (3 to 6 p.m.) Half-price appetizers, $3 frozen drinks, wells and wine.
• Chon Som Asian Cuisine and Sushi Bar: (5 to 7 p.m.) $1 sushi. $2 sake bombs.
• Chuy’s: (4 to 7 p.m.) Free chips, queso, salsa, beef and beans in the bar area. $3.50 margaritas.
• Cuba Libre: (4 to 7 p.m.) Half-price appetizers, $5 martinis, $3 draft beer.
• The Daily Grill: (4 to 7 p.m. and 9 p.m. to close.) Happy-hour specials from $1.94 to $2.94. $2 all-day kids’ menu.
• Draught House Pub & Brewery: Because beer is food, house pints are $2.25.
• Eddie V’s Edgewater Grill: (4:30 to 7 p.m.) Half-price appetizers, $1 off drinks.
• Freddie’s Place: (4 to 7 p.m.) $2 frozen margaritas, wells, Jack-and-lemonade slushies and tall boys. Free brisket and wings starting at 6 p.m.
• Haiku Japanese Restaurant: (4 to 6:30 p.m.) Sushi rolls are $2.99, sushi is $1.50 per piece and beer is $2 a bottle.
• Hayashi Modern Japanese Cuisine: $5 sushi rolls, $5 sliders, $2.50 wine 3 to 6 p.m.
• Imperia: (4 to 7 p.m.) $5 dim sum, small plates and specialty martinis. Two-for-one sushi.
• Jeffrey’s: (5 to 7 p.m.) Half-price small-plates menu in the bar.
• Kenobi Restaurant & Sushi Bar: $5 appetizers and sushi rolls 4 to 7 p.m.
• La Familia: Lunch plates (11 a.m. to 3 p.m.), $4.99.
• Louie’s 106: (4 to 7 p.m.) Half-price appetizers and 20 percent off cocktails and wines by the glass.
• Manuel’s: (4 to 6 p.m.) Half-price appetizers, $4 house margaritas.
• McCormick & Schmick’s: (Congress Avenue: 4 to 6:30 p.m. and 9 p.m. to close. Domain: 3 to 6:30 p.m. and 9:30 to 11 p.m.) Happy-hour food deals from $1.95 to $4.95.
• Momiji Hibachi & Sushi: (5 p.m. to close) Half-price sushi.
• Phoenicia Bakery and Deli: (all day) Mediterranean sandwiches and pitas for less than $4.
• Quality Seafood: Peel-and-eat shrimp are a quarter apiece, and Lone Stars are $2.
• Red House Pizzeria: (5 to 7 p.m.) Half-price pizza.
• Red Robin: (all day) Free kids’ meal (12 and younger) with purchase of an adult entree.
• Roaring Fork: (4:30 to 7 p.m.) Deeply discounted Southwestern specialties.
• Rome’s Pizza: Buy a large pizza and get a second large at half-price.
• Ruth’s Chris Steak House: (4:30 to 7 p.m.) Appetizers from the bar menu are half-price. Any martini in the house is $5.
• Sagra: Half-price pizza and $2 off drinks 4 to 7 p.m. “Recession Lunches” less than $10 from 11:30 a.m. to 3 p.m.
• Serranos: (3 to 6:30 p.m.) $2.50 margaritas, $1.50 pints of Bud Light and Shiner Bock, $1 nachos, quesadillas and flaquitos.
• Santa Rita Tex-Mex Cantina: (3 to 7 p.m.) Half-price appetizers.
• Sullivan’s Steakhouse: The bar and lounge area at Sullivan’s swings with half-price bar entrees (blue cheese meatloaf, peppercorn tenderloin tips), half-price cigars and $5 martinis.
• 219 West: (5 to 9 p.m.) Appetizers are half-off (plus 50 cents). Martinis $5, wine flights $12.
• Z Tejas: (4 to 7 p.m.) Half-price appetizers. $1 off margaritas.
FRIDAY
• Abuelo’s: (11 a.m. to 3 p.m.) $6.99 Mexican lunch specials.
• Alligator Grill: (3 to 7 p.m.) 20-cent shrimp, 50-cent oysters and wings.
• Aquarelle: (5 to 7 p.m.) Half-price dishes from the bar menu.
• Athenian Grill: (4 to 7p.m.) $5 food and drink specials and $10 bottles of Greek wine.
• Aussie’s Grill & Beachbar: (11 p.m. to 2 a.m.) Late-night half-price appetizers.
• Austin Land & Cattle: (5 to 7 p.m.) Bar-menu discounts, including half-price, hand-cut burgers.
• Bill Miller Bar-B-Q: (all day) $2.99 plates with a side, roll and tea.
• Cannoli Joe’s: (11 a.m. to 2 p.m.) Quality Italian lunch buffet for $9.99 ($5.99 for kids 12 and younger, free if they’re 3 or younger).
• Chez Zee: (3 to 6 p.m.) Half-price appetizers, $3 frozen drinks, wells and wine.
• Chon Som Asian Cuisine and Sushi Bar: (5 to 7 p.m.) $1 sushi. $2 sake bombs.
• Chuy’s: (4 to 7 p.m.) Free chips, queso, salsa, beef and beans in the bar area. $3.50 margaritas.
• Cuba Libre: (4 to 7 p.m.) Half-price appetizers, $5 martinis, $3 draft beer.
• The Daily Grill: (4 to 7 p.m. and 9 p.m. to close.) Happy-hour specials from $1.94 to $2.94. $2 all-day kids’ menu.
• Eddie V’s Edgewater Grill: (4:30 to 7 p.m.) Half-price appetizers, $1 off drinks.
• Freddie’s Place: (4 to 7 p.m.) $2 frozen margaritas, wells, Jack-and-lemonade slushies and tall boys. Free brisket and wings starting at 6 p.m.
• Green Mesquite BBQ & More: From a week’s worth of reasonable daily specials, Friday’s pork rib plate for $6.99 with two sides (try fried okra and corn on the cob) stands out.
• Haiku Japanese Restaurant: (4 to 6:30 p.m.) Sushi rolls are $2.99, sushi is $1.50 per piece and beer is $2 a bottle.
• Hayashi Modern Japanese Cuisine: $5 sushi rolls, $5 sliders, $2.50 wine 3 to 6 p.m. and 10 p.m. to midnight.
• Imperia: (4 to 7 p.m.) $5 dim sum, small plates and specialty martinis. Two-for-one sushi.
• Jeffrey’s: (5 to 7 p.m.) Half-price small-plates menu in the bar.
• Kenobi Restaurant & Sushi Bar: $5 appetizers and sushi rolls 4 to 7 p.m.
• La Familia: Lunch plates (11 a.m. to 3 p.m.), $4.99.
• Louie’s 106: During happy hour (4 to 7 p.m.), appetizers from the dinner menu are half-price, landing most of them in the $4.25 to $5 range. Choices include smoked salmon crostini, crispy soft-shell crab, ahi tuna tartare, Prince Edward Island mussels, a jumbo lump crab and avocado salad and an antipasto platter. Cocktails and wines by the glass are 20 percent off.
• Manuel’s: (4 to 6 p.m.) Half-price appetizers, $4 house margaritas.
• McCormick & Schmick’s: (Congress Avenue: 4 to 6:30 p.m. and 9 p.m. to close. Domain: 3 to 6:30 p.m. and 9:30 to 11 p.m.) Happy-hour food deals from $1.95 to $4.95.
• Phoenicia Bakery and Deli: (all day) Mediterranean sandwiches and pitas for less than $4.
• Red House Pizzeria: (5 to 7 p.m.) Half-price pizza.
• Red Robin: (all day) Free kids’ meal (12 and younger) with purchase of an adult entree.
• Roaring Fork: (4:30 to 7 p.m.) Deeply discounted Southwestern specialties.
• Rome’s Pizza: Buy a large pizza and get a second large at half-price.
• Ruth’s Chris Steak House: (4:30 to 7 p.m.) Appetizers from the bar menu are half-price. Any martini in the house is $5.
• Sagra: Half-price pizza and $2 off drinks 4 to 7 p.m. “Recession Lunches” less than $10 from 11:30 a.m. to 3 p.m.
• Serranos: (3 to 6:30 p.m.) $2.50 margaritas, $1.50 pints of Bud Light and Shiner Bock, $1 nachos, quesadillas and flaquitos.
• 219 West: (5 to 9 p.m.) Appetizers are half-off (plus 50 cents). Martinis $5, wine flights $12.
• Z Tejas: (4 to 7 p.m.) Half-price appetizers. $1 off margaritas.
SATURDAY
• Alligator Grill: (3 to 7 p.m.) 20-cent shrimp, 50-cent oysters and wings.
• Aquarelle: (5 to 7 p.m.) Half-price dishes from the bar menu.
• Aussie’s Grill & Beachbar: (11 p.m. to 2 a.m.) Late-night half-price appetizers.
• Bill Miller Bar-B-Q: (all day) $2.99 plates with a side, roll and tea.
• Chon Som Asian Cuisine and Sushi Bar: (5 to 7 p.m.) $1 sushi. $2 sake bombs.
• The Daily Grill: (4 p.m. to close.) Happy-hour specials from $1.94 to $2.94. $2 all-day kids’ menu.
• Draught House Pub & Brewery: Free bratwurst.
• Eddie V’s Edgewater Grill: (4:30 to 7 p.m.) Half-price appetizers, $1 off drinks.
• Hayashi Modern Japanese Cuisine: $5 sushi rolls, $5 sliders, $2.50 wine 10 p.m. to midnight.
• Imperia: (5:30 to 7 p.m.) $5 dim sum, small plates and specialty martinis. Two-for-one sushi.
• Jeffrey’s: 9 to 10:30 p.m.) Half-price small-plates menu in the bar.
• Manuel’s: I’ve made meals out of Manuel’s half-price appetizers, which include grilled potato and corn masa cakes with venison chorizo and a chicken mole broiled with cheese. The special runs from 4 to 6 p.m. every day, and to sweeten the deal, house margaritas are $4.
• McCormick & Schmick’s: (Congress Avenue: 4 to 6:30 p.m. Domain: 3 to 5 p.m.) Happy-hour food deals from $1.95 to $4.95.
• Phoenicia Bakery and Deli: (all day) Mediterranean sandwiches and pitas for less than $4.
• Red House Pizzeria: (5 to 7 p.m.) Half-price pizza.
• Red Robin: (all day) Free kids’ meal (12 and younger) with purchase of an adult entree.
• Roaring Fork: (4:30 to 7 p.m.) Deeply discounted Southwestern specialties.
• Rome’s Pizza: Buy a large pizza and get a second large at half-price.
DIRECTORY
This is a directory of the restaurants featured among the Super Savor deals I’ve uncovered in the last few weeks.
• Abuelo’s. 2901 S. Capitol of Texas Highway (Loop 36), No. 7 (at Barton Creek Square mall). 306-0857, www.abuelos.com.
• Alligator Grill. 3003 S. Lamar Blvd. 444-6117, www.alligatorgrill.com.
• Aquarelle. 606 Rio Grande St. 479-8117, www.aquarellerestaurant.com.
• Athenian Grill. 600 Congress Ave., Suite 150. 474-7775, www.athenianbargrill.com.
• Aussie’s Grill & Beachbar. 306 Barton Springs Road. 480-0952, www.aussiesbar.com.
• Austin Land & Cattle. 1205 N. Lamar Blvd. 472-1813, www.austinlandandcattlecompany.com.
• Bill Miller Bar-B-Q.
— 709 E. Ben White Blvd. 443-3533.
— 8103 Burnet Road. 458-3244.
— 136 Slaughter Lane. 280-8364.
— 14718 N. Interstate 35. 251-1977.
— 8700 U.S. 290 E. 926-3502.
— 1930 William Cannon Drive. 444-1032.
— 908 N. Loop 4, Buda. 512-295-1665.
— www.billmillerbbq.com.
• Brick Oven Restaurant.
— 9911 Brodie Lane, Suite 600. 292-3939.
— 1209 Red River St. 477-7006.
— 10710 Research Blvd. 345-6181.
— www.brickovenrestaurant.com.
• Burger House. 4211 Spicewood Springs Road. 346-7200, www.burgerhouse.com.
• Cannoli Joe’s. 4715 U.S. 290 W. 892-4444, www.cannolijoes.com.
• Central Market. 4001 N. Lamar Blvd. 206-1000, www.centralmarket.com.
• Chez Zee. 5406 Balcones Drive. 454-2666, www.chez-zee.com.
• Chon Som Asian Cuisine and Sushi Bar. 2013 Wells Branch Parkway. 989-5559, www.chonsom.com.
• Chuy’s.
— 1728 Barton Springs Road. 474-4452.
— 10520 N. Lamar Blvd. 836-3218.
— 11680 N. Research Blvd. 342-0011.
— 2320 N. Interstate 35, Round Rock. 255-2211.
— 4301 W. William Cannon Drive. 899-2489.
— www.chuys.com.
• Cuba Libre. 409 Colorado St. 472-2822, www.cubalibreaustin.com.
• Cypress Grill. 404 W. William Cannon Drive, Suite L. 358-7474.
• The Daily Grill. 11506 Century Oaks Terrace, Suite 100 (the Domain). 836-4200, www.dailygrill.com.
• Doc’s Motorworks.
— 1123 S. Congress Ave. 448-9181.
— 5207 Brodie Lane, Suite 100. 892-5200.
— www.docsaustin.com.
• Draught House Pub & Brewery. 4114 Medical Parkway. 452-6258, www.draughthouse.com.
• Eddie V’s Edgewater Grill.
— 301 E. Fifth St. 472-1860.
— 9400-B Arboretum Blvd. 342-2642.
— www.eddiev.com.
• El Arroyo.
— 1624 W. Fifth St. 474-1222.
— 7032 Wood Hollow Dive, 345-8226.
— www.ditch.com.
• Freddie’s Place. 1703 S. First St. 445-9197, www.freddiesplaceaustin.com.
• Green Mesquite BBQ & More.
— 1400 Barton Springs Road. 479-0485.
— 7010 Texas 71 W. 288-8300.
— www.greenmesquite.net.
• Haiku Japanese Restaurant. 9600 S. Interstate 35, Suite C (Southpark Meadows). 291-5600.
• Hang Town Grill.
— 701 S. Capital of Texas Highway (Loop 360). 347-1039.
— 5800 Burnet Road. 420-9430.
— www.hangtowngrill.com.
• Hayashi Modern Japanese Cuisine. 1335 E. Whitestone Blvd., Cedar Park. 986.7176, www.hayashigrill.com.
• Hut’s Hamburgers. 807 W. Sixth St. 472-0693, www.hutsfrankandangies.com.
• Imperia. 310 Colorado St. 472-6770, www.imperia-austin.com.
• The Jackalope. 404 E. Sixth St., 469-5801, www.jackalopeaustin.com.
• Jeffrey’s. 1204 West Lynn St. 477-5584, www. jeffreysofaustin.com.
• Kenobi Restaurant & Sushi Bar. 10000 Research Blvd, Suite 138-A. 241-0119, www.kenobiaustin.com.
• La Familia. 3601 W. William Cannon Drive., Suite 900. 892-1311, www.lafamiliaaustin.com.
• Louie’s 106. 106 E. Sixth St. 476-1997. www.louies106.net.
• Manuel’s.
— 310 Congress Ave. 472-7555.
— 10201 Jollyville Road. 345-1042.
— www.manuels.com.
• McCormick & Schmick’s.
— 401 Congress Ave.. 236-9600.
— 11600 Century Oaks Terrace, Suite 100 (the Domain). 836-0500.
— www.mccormickandschmicks.com.
• Momiji Hibachi & Sushi. 13201 RM 620 N., No. U208. 219-7070, www.eatmomiji.com.
• Olivia. 2043 S. Lamar Blvd. 804-2700, www.olivia-austin.com.
• Parkside. 301 E. Sixth St 474-9898, www.parkside-austin.com.
• Patsy’s Cowgirl Cafe. 5001 E. Ben White Blvd. 444-2020, www.patsyscowgirlcafe.com.
• Phoenicia Bakery and Deli.
— 2912 S. Lamar Blvd. 447-4444.
— 4701A Burnet Road. 323-6770.
— www.phoeniciabakery.com.
• Quality Seafood. 5621 Airport Blvd. 454-5827, www.qualityseafoodmarket.com.
• Red House Pizzeria. 1917 Manor Road. 391-9500, www.redhouselounge.com.
• Red Robin.
— 4809 U.S. 290 W. 891-7331.
— 13000 N. Interstate 35 (southbound frontage), Building 5. 997-9500.
— 13315 U.S. 183 N., Building E. 249-8902.
— www.redrobin.com.
• Roaring Fork. 701 Congress Ave. 583-0000, www.eddiev.com.
• Rome’s Pizza. 9225 W. Parmer Lane. 996-8890, www.romespizza.com.
• Ruth’s Chris Steak House. 107 W. Sixth St. 477-7884, www.ruthschris.com.
• Sagra. 1610 San Antonio St. 535-5988, www.sagrarestaurant.net.
• Santa Rita Tex-Mex Cantina. 1206 W. 38th St. 419-7482, www.santaritacantina.com.
• Serranos.
— 1111 Red River St. 322-9080.
— 5030 U.S. 290 W. 891-7592.
— 2701 Parker Road (La Frontera), Round Rock. 218-4888.
— 11100 Pecan Park Blvd., Cedar Park. 258-3441.
— 10000 Research Blvd. 250-9555.
— 9500 S. Interstate 35 (Southpark Meadows). 280-7770.
— www.serranos.com.
• Shoal Creek Saloon. 909 N. Lamar Blvd. 474-0805, www.shoalcreeksaloon.com.
• Sullivan’s Steakhouse. 300 Colorado St. 495-6504, www.sullivansteakhouse.com.
• 219 West. 219 W. Fourth St. 474-2194. www.219west.com.
• Z Tejas.
— 1110 W. Sixth St. 478-5355.
— 9400-A Arboretum Blvd. 346-3506.
— 10525 W. Parmer Lane. 388-7772.
— www.ztejas.com.
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Coffee according to Consumer Reports
Consumer Reports has its favorite. I have mine: House Blend from Anderson’s. Photo by Eli Kaplan.
Bad news for fans of Maxwell House, Folger’s and even Starbuck’s. The March issue of Consumer Reports has crowned Eight O’Clock Coffee its top pick among commercial Colombian coffees, calling it “a complex blend of earthy and fruit, with a bright, pleasing sourness.”
At $6.28 per pound, Eight O’Clock costs about half as much as its two nearest competitors: Caribou ($11.76) and Kickapoo ($14.33). The rest of the Top 10 includes Bucks County Coffee, Archer Farms from Target, Gloria Jean’s, Chock full o’Nuts, Peet’s and Maxwell House. For decaf, Dunkin’ Donuts took top honors.
That’s all just great. But for amazing coffee at a great price, I’ll take a pound of House Blend from Austin’s own Anderson’s Coffee for $6.95 any day. (1601 W. 38th St. 453-1533, www.andersonscoffee.com. Open 8:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday-Saturday.)
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Parkside offering Austin a taste of NY menu
Parkside will serve its James Beard menu Monday, Feb. 9. Photo by Mike Sutter.
Shawn Cirkiel and his Parkside crew will be cooking at the James Beard Foundation in New York City on Feb. 26.
We’ve reported that already, and you might have asked, “How does that help me?” Here’s some help: Parkside (301 E. Sixth St. 474-99898, www.parkside-austin.com) will offer the Beard House menu at the restaurant Monday, Feb. 9. Dinner starts at 7 p.m. by reservation, and the cost is $100, which includes wine pairings with each course.
Just to make you crazy, here’s the Beard House menu:
HORS D’OEUVRE:
— Bone marrow and fines herbes toasts
— Crab salad on apple crisps
— Parkside ceviche with saltines
— Foie gras and duck liver pate with marinated strawberries
— Coriander-rubbed petit pork ribs
DINNER
— Crudo tasting: Olde salt Chesapeake oyster with mignonette; bay scallop with mustard and pear; fluke with lemon and almonds; amberjack with tangerine and charred jalapeno
— Housemade pork sausage and flageolet bean soup with beet greens and extra virgin olive oil
— Pan-seared queen snapper with winter squash and citrus
— Parkside bar steak: Grilled beef culotte with miniature macaroni and cheese, french fries, foraged mushrooms, Brussels sprouts, okra, asparagus and Corbieres reduction
DESSERT
— Doughnut holes with brandy cream; chocolate clafoutis with allspice ice cream; poached pear with cider sorbet
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At Messina Hof, a toast to local flavor
This Saturday (Feb. 7), Messina Hof Winery in Bryan will host a “Bounty from Our Own Backyard” dinner, featuring locally grown Monterey mushrooms and Lucky B. bison. The five-course menu includes dishes like a savory cheesecake tartlet, three-mushroom soup, smoked bison rib-eye steak and a muscat canelli creme caramel, each paired with Messina Hof wines. The cost is $69.95 plus tax and gratuity. Dinner starts at 6:30 p.m. More “Bounty” dinners are scheduled March 7, April 24-25, May 23 and June 13. (The Vintage House Restaurant at Messina Hof Winery and Resort, 4545 Old Reliance Road, Bryan; 979-778-9463, www.messinahof.com.)
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Kolaches & beyond: Eva B’s vision extends to India
Anjali and Seenu Jallipalli named Eva B.’s Bakery & Cafe after their 3-year-old daughter, Eva. In addition to kolaches, try cinnamon rolls for $1.50 each and hot chai latte for $2.50. Photos by Mike Sutter.
Even though Eva B’s Bakery & Cafe has been open in the shopping center at South Congress Avenue and Oltorf Street since April, the Eva B’s “Grand Opening” banner still draws attention to the former site of the Big Kolache bakery.
A variety of sausage, ham, spinach and sweet kolaches, along with cinnamon rolls and croissants, fill the cases at Eva B’s — owned by Anjali and Seenu Jallipalli and named for their 3-year-old daughter — and the menu has expanded to include lunchtime panini sandwiches.
The Jallipallis are planning to add dishes from their native India, as well as a line of gluten-free and organic baked goods. In the meantime, paninis such as a Venetian turkey with basil pesto, a Torino roast beef with Vidalia onion compote and an eggplant Vegetariano with apricot mango wasabi are $5.95 for a whole sandwich or $5 for a half-sandwich with chips and a drink.
Kolaches range from $1.34 to $1.67, and the bakery also serves coffee drinks and a sweet, spicy chai latte.
(2407-A S. Congress Ave. 383-9050, www.evabeecafe.com. Open 6:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Mondays-Fridays, 7:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Saturdays-Sundays.)
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Valentine’s Day: Got reservations?
Valentine’s Day offerings include tres leches cake at Las Palomas (top), cherry chocolate cake at Chez Zee (left) and Perry’s ginormous pork chop. Photos by the American-Statesman.
Romance and restaurants both get a big boost from Valentine’s Day, and with Feb. 14 falling on a Saturday (and soon), it’s time to book reservations. Here’s a Whitman’s sampler of Austin restaurant specials for Valentine’s Day.
(For even more options, see Matthew Odam’s survey on The M.O. of whether some of Austin’s favorites still have Valentine’s spots available.)
• Andiamo Ristorante (2521 Rutland Drive, 719-3377, www.andiamoitaliano.com): Classic Italian, with a four-course menu for $48 per person.
• Asti Trattoria (408 C E. 43rd St., 451-1218, www.astiaustin.com): Three-course menu for $45 per person. Also being offered Feb. 12-13.
• Blue Star Cafeteria (4800 Burnet Road, C-300, 454-7827, www.bluestarcafeteria.com): Three-course menu, including a strawberry and goat-cheese salad and sesame-crusted tuna or beef tenderloin for $38 person, $50 with wine pairings.
• Carrabba’s Italian Grill (11590 Research Blvd., 345-8232; 6406 N. Interstate 35, 419-1220; www.carrabbas.com): On Feb. 11-12, the Austin locations of this chain are offering pre-Valentine’s three-course dinners for less than $20 per person.
• Central Market (Westgate, 899-4343; North Lamar, 206-1024; www.centralmarket.com): OK, not a restaurant. But still: a complete take-home dinner for two and a movie to keep for $49.99 to $79.99 isn’t bad. Entrees range from butternut squash cannelloni to lobster tail. At Westgate only: Pre-Valentine’s Day “Love Bites” cocktail parties: canceled. At North Lamar only: Austin Lyric Opera singers perform during a four-course dinner, including pear and shrimp bisque, Gulf snapper, steak au poivre and opera cake for $55 per person.
• Chez Zee (5406 Balcones Drive, 454-2666, www.chez-zee.com): Specials at this date-night favorite include Chateaubriand for two, lobster cakes and chocolate cherry cake.
• Cissi’s Wine Bar (1400 S. Congress Ave, 225-0521, www.cissismarket.com): Four-course Valentine’s prix fixe dinner Friday and Saturday (Feb. 13-14). Seatings are from 6 to 10 p.m. for a menu that includes red beet carpaccio, cream of turnip soup, pan-seared duck confit with roasted strawberries and a chocolate-tasting trio from pastry chef Faith Chan. $45 per person/$75 with wine pairings. Reservations by e-mail at kwallace@cissismarket.com.
• Cookie Lounge (2222 Rio Grande St., Building B, Suite 120, 478-2253, www.austincookielounge.com): For delivery, the options at Mark Chapman’s gourmet cookie shop include a dozen cookies with a card and balloon for $14.
• Cru a Wine Bar (238 W. Second St., 472-9463; 11410 Century Oaks Terrace, Suite 104, 339-9463; www.cruawinebar.com): Four-course menu including lobster bisque, kobe steak and heart-shaped puff pastry for $45 per person. Also offered Feb. 13 and 15.
• European Bistro (111 E. Main St., Pflugerville, 512-835-1919, www.european-bistro.com): Five-course menu of Old World specialties, including salmon pate, filet mignon, roasted lamb and a glass of champagne for $75 per person.
• FINO Restaurant and Patio Bar (2905 San Gabriel St., 474-2905, www.astiaustin.com/fino): Three-course menu for $45 per person. Also being offered Feb. 12-13.
• Green Pastures (811 W. Live Oak St., 444-4747, www.greenpasturesrestaurant.com): A premiere date (and wedding) destination, with a four-course menu featuring wild game, filet, sea bass and lobster for $80 per person.
• Jasper’s (11506 Century Oaks Terrace, Suite 128 at the Domain, 834-4111, www.kentrathbun.com): Four-course menu including lobster and blackberry-pecan bread pudding for $55 per person.
• Joe DiMaggio’s Italian Chophouse (11410 Century Oaks Terrace at the Domain, 835-5633, www.joedimaggiosrestaurant.com): Three-course menu including truffled artichoke soup, herb-crusted lamb chops and chocolate crepes for $115 per couple. Offered Feb. 12-15. Also open for brunch Feb. 14-15.
• Las Palomas Restaurant (3201 Bee Cave Road, No. 122, 327-9889, www.laspalomasrestaurant.com): Three-course menu including paella and a glass of champagne for $29.95 per person.
• North by Northwest Restaurant and Brewery (10010 N. Capital of Texas Highway (Loop 360), 467-6969, www.nxnwbrew.com): Four-course menu including beef tenderloin for $40 per person or $75 per couple.
• Opal Divine’s (Freehouse, 477-3308; Marina, 733-5353; Penn Field, 707-0237; www.opaldivines.com): Three-course menu, including sirloin, shrimp and chocolate-covered strawberries for $60 per couple. (No reservations required; first-come, first-served.)
• Perry’s Steakhouse & Grille (114 W. Seventh St., 474-6300, www.perrysrestaurants.com): Three-course menu (Perry’s Flintstone-sized pork chop is among the choices) for $54.95 per person at 5:30 p.m. and earlier, $69.95 for 6 p.m. and later.
• Sagra (1610 San Antonio St., 535-5988, www.sagrarestaurant.net): Four-course Italian menu for $35 per person, $50 with wine pairings. Also being offered Feb. 13 and 15.
• 34th Street Café (1005 W. 34th St., 371-3400, www.34thstreetcafe.com): Four-course menu including lobster risotto and a glass of wine for $38 per person.
• III Forks (111 Lavaca St., 474-1776, www.iiiforks.com): A three-course menu featuring filet and lobster tail for $150 per couple.
• Wink (1014 N. Lamar Blvd., Suite E, 482-8868, www.winkrestaurant.com): Feb. 14 is booked solid, but Wink is opening an extra day Feb. 15 for overflow reservations.
• Z Tejas (three locations; see www.ztejas.com): Three-course Southwestern menu for $29.95 per person.
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Allagash event at Alamo postponed
Tonight’s Allagash beer dinner at the Lake Creek Alamo Drafthouse has been postponed after the brewery’s owner, Rob Tod, broke his hand and suffered other injuries Sunday. Tod apparently was delivering a keg in Boston and slipped down some stairs, according to the Alamo’s Paul Michie.
No make-up date has been scheduled. Michie said all attendees who bought tickets through the theater’s Web site have received refunds.
A beer tasting with Tod set for later tonight at the Flying Saucer will go on as scheduled but not with Tod in attendance. Meanwhile, the dates are set for Dogfish Head’s Off-Centered Film Festival are set: April 3 and 4. More info at drafthouse.com.
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Super Bowl stunner: Denny’s free Grand Slam
Ben Roethlisberger threw. Santonio Holmes flew. But Denny’s spiked Super Bowl XLIII with a Hail Mary of an ad, promising America a free Grand Slam breakfast from 6 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Tuesday, Feb. 3.
It’ll be eight hours of bleakness if you’re made out of pork or chicken eggs. The Slam is two eggs, two pancakes, two strips of bacon and two sausage links.
The Denny’s site was slammed Sunday night, so the fine print is sketchy (one at a time? no PETA commercial models?), but the Austin area has about a half-dozen places to see for yourself. Here’s what I found in the phone book. Call ahead to be sure.
— 7100 N. Interstate 35, 453-3617
— 2700 N. Interstate 35, Round Rock; 238-7705
— 2320 S. Interstate 35, 447-4584
— 10930 Lakeline Mall Drive, 401-0628
— 7619 E. Ben White Blvd., 385-1350
— 1601 N. Interstate 35, 499-8700
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Marley and me
For the love of Jah, make it stop. I must have missed the memo that we’re all on early Spring Break in Cabo, because reggae is playing on the soundtrack of every other restaurant in town.
At an Italian cafe at lunchtime, a full hour of Peter Tosh. At a strip-mall Thai place in North Austin, techno-dub in a foreign tongue. At a swanky fusion bistro in South Austin, the unmistakable island skip-and-drop.
People dig reggae. I get that. And what scene-conscious swell doesn’t groove on a little incongruity now and then? And I love my dub, my dancehall, my one-drop as much as the next Rasta man, but it’s time for a come-to-Jamaica meeting: Unless there’s something in your restaurant that can be described with the word “jerk” (besides me), I beg you: Let Marley and me finish our dinner in peace.
