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Your A-List: Best place to celebrate an anniversary

Your A-List: Best local song from the past year

Your A-List: Best Place to Dine Alone

Your A-List: Best Fried Chicken

Your A-List: Best TV Reporter

Your A-List: Best Country/Western Bar

Your A-List: Best Coffeeshop

Your A-List: Best local writer

Your A-List: Best Rapper

Your A-List: Best Outdoor Music Venue

Your A-List: Best Place to Buy Funky Furniture

Your A-List: Best Patio

Your A-List: Best Hotel Bar

Your A-List

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June 24, 2009

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June 10, 2009

June 3, 2009

May 27, 2009

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May 6, 2009

April 29, 2009

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You’re a busy person. You’ve got names, numbers and dates to remember, people to call back, promises to keep. But no matter how busy you think you are, there is one date you must always remember — your anniversary.

Don’t be a chump/chumpette who thinks simply buying a $3 Hallmark card and a few puny roses are enough to commemorate the special date. At least once a year, you’ve got to step your game up. Your “fabulous” cooking won’t be enough, you need to find that special place. For many, the answer is this week’s winner, Uchi, which received 19 percent of the vote.

The South Lamar Boulevard temple of sushi won the honor after beating out Austin fine dining pioneer Jeffrey’s, the interior Mexican extravagance of Fonda San Miguel and the delicious game-loving restaurant Hudson’s on the Bend. The precious yet modern Austin bungalow restaurant, designed by architects Michael Hsu and Joel Mozersky, came to life in 2003 and, at the time, was a welcome two-star addition to the growing sushi scene. In the past six years, Tyson Cole’s creation has become a paragon of creativity and quality in the Austin restaurant scene, drawing rave reviews from critics and diners alike.

Uchi prides itself not only on the freshest of ingredients but also on top notch service, a forward-thinking approach to flavor components and decadent presentation. Needlefish displayed as a sort of flying dragon complemented with a citrus vinaigrette presented in an oyster shell on a bed of salt in a wooden bowl is just one example of the fanciful culinary delights you may find at Uchi. In addition to classic fish preparation and flavors, Cole and his crackerjack staff, who have a say in initial menu suggestions, also like to throw in a taste of the local, as evidenced in Uchi’s madai sashimi of black snapper with ruby red grapefruit.

With its commitment to flavor, presentation and service, Uchi is certain to knock the socks off your special one. And with food and service this good, why wait for a wedding or engagement anniversary? Just celebrate the anniversary of another week or month passing.

See complete poll results after the jump.

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Austin has long had a reputation as being a home for the singer-songwriter. It’s no surprise then that Sugarland native and Your A-List winner with 47 percent of the vote, Ben Mallott landed in our city.

In his steel-tinged “Heartbreaks,” Mallott sings, well, of heartbreaks and how they will beset all of us in the end. Truer words never sung, Mr. Mallott.

Statesman music critic Michael Corcoran, when pressed for a comparison, likened the songwriter to a country Nick Lowe who has shown a knack for first-rate songwriting.

You can check out Mallott, who credits old standards, a juvenile heart, and his mother’s Ray Charles albums as inspirations, at the newly revamped Flipnotics every Thursday in July before he heads out west for a couple of dates.

Check out complete poll results after the jump.

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Why eat solo at one restaurant with a limited menu when you can hit up a single spot that serves food to satisfy any palate? Exactly.

With hot stations serving everything from Indian food to rotisserie chicken to several stand-alone areas with table service for Italian and seafood, this week’s Your A-List winner Whole Foods offers endless options for those looking to dine alone after cruising the aisles looking for dates, er, specials.

Complete results

Whole Foods, 38 percent
Austin Java, 11 percent
Kerbey Lane, 10 percent
Zen, 8 percent
Magnolia Cafe, 7 percent
Jo’s, 5 percent
The Tavern, 5 percent
Maudie’s, 4 percent
Home Slice, 4 percent
Halcyon, 2 percent
Tino’s, 2 percent
La Traviata, 1 percent
Blue Dahlia, 1 percent
Enoteca, < 1 percent

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Top Notch’s classic sign on Burnett Road may give hamburgers top billing, but people flock to the no-frills joint for the fried chicken as much as anything else.

In his last review of the cash-only server of American classic, former Statesman food critic Dale Rice had the following to say about this week’s Your A-List winner:

“The fried chicken ($4.89 for a two-piece, white-and-dark-meat plate) was as crisp and non-oily as the onion rings, with juicy, tender, flavorful meat beneath that golden crust.

Served with fries, cole slaw and Texas toast — making the chicken a hearty meal — that fried poultry is no pushover, even on a table with tasty burgers.”

Top Notch
7525 Burnet Rd [map]
452-2181

Complete results

Top Notch, 33 percent

Hoover’s, 18 percent

Threadgill’s, 9 percent

Bush’s Chicken, 6 percent

Nubian Queen Lola’s, 5 percent

Dot’s, 5 percent

Gene’s Poboys, 4 percent

Hill’s, 4 percent

Shoal Creek Saloon, 3 percent

Arkie’s, 3 percent

Terry’s Seafood and Chicken, 2 percent

Evangeline Cafe, 2 percent

Broken Spoke, 2 percent

Tony’s Southern Comfort, 2 percent

Ms. B’s, 2 percent

Iron Gate Lounge, < 1 percent

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There must have been a few awkward moments (all in good fun, I’m sure) around the KXAN watercooler this week, as last year’s winner Shannon Wolfson and this year’s winner Carla Castano squared off in the Your A-List poll for Best TV Reporter.

As the polls closed, Castano outdistanced Wolfson, gaining as many votes as everyone else in the field combined. Castano reports for the NBC affiliate’s evening newscasts, often fronting the night’s big story.

The Oregon native started at KXAN in 2007, after spending her early years in the TV biz reporting and producing news in her home state, as well as a stint as a disc jockey.

Although her job generally concerns serious matters, Castano finds humorous respite in the writings of David Sedaris along with musical diversions in the form of the music of Shakira, according to her bio on the KXAN site.

Go to the jump for complete poll results.

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Ask a lot of people what kind of music they like, and they may say “everything except country.” Then they quickly add the caveat, “well, except for classic country.” The Broken Spoke may have had a few updates over the years, but there is no denying that the winner of Best Country/Western Bar, with 35 percent of the vote, is genuine country. Or at least genuine Texas.

There may be businesses that have been around Austin longer than this week’s winner, but you’d be hard pressed to find one more iconic.

Opened by James White on 1964, the Spoke is the epitome of a classic Texas dancehall and conveniently located just miles from downtonwn. Of course, when White first opened the doors, the South Lamar Boulevard location was considered to be the edge of town.

“Like the club, owner James White is a throwback to the days of honky tonk. The club gets a fresh-faced crowd of dancers every Thursday for Jesse Dayton,” says Statesman scribe Michael Corcoran.

The Broken Spoke [site] 3201 S. Lamar Blvd. [map]

Go to the jump for complete poll results.

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We had a great Austin360 cover story on coffee shops with corollary vices a couple weeks back. In it, food critic Mike Sutter profiled this week’s winner Ruta Maya (20 percent of the vote), one of the first coffee shops I visited upon returning to Austin in 2002.

Here is what he wrote:

If there were a Museum of Austin Clich´s and Stereotypes, Ruta Maya would be its gift shop and snack bar. On the patio, there are petitions to sign and a table promising ‘Cabalistic Tarot Readings.’ And the deep, roasty aroma of coffee fills the senses, tingles the scalp - a caffeine contact high, with liquid satisfaction starting as low as $1.50 for an espresso. There’s beer on tap and six wines by the bottle or glass, plus sandwiches, wraps, empanadas and whatever else lands in the takeout cases.

On stage, an open-mike poet in black leather pants drops flinching F-bombs in adjectival and astonishingly active verb forms. But even before Ruta Maya left its dodgy Warehouse District birthplace on Fourth Street for its rambling warren on South Congress Avenue some years ago, cigars have given the place an earthen Latin American character. The Habana House tobacco shop’s door opens right into Ruta Maya, an F-bomb shelter with a walk-in humidor the size of a two-car garage and half a dozen chairs, all occupied on an April night by cigar-smoking men staring blankly at ‘American Idol.’ For cigar people, the shop carries dozens of boutique and classic brands, including 26 Arturo Fuente frontmarks, at reasonable markups. For tourists, the Acid cigars smell like tobacco and patchouli oil, an authentic sensory memento of Ruta Maya.

Ruta Maya [site]
3601 S. Congress Ave., Suite D-200 [map]
707-9637

Go to the jump for complete results.

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Of Austinite Lawrence Wright’s Pulitzer Prize-winning book “The Looming Tower,” luminary biographer Robert A. Caro said, “Lawrence Wright’s integrity and diligence as a reporter shine through every page of this riveting narrative.”

Not much I could say that could top that.

To go with his Pulitzer, National Book Award and host of other awards, Wright can now claim the title of Best Local Author, as voted by Austin360.com readers.

The former Texas Monthly writer, who was born in Oklahoma and attended Tulane University for undergrad studies in literature, was actually considering leaving the world of journalism to focus on screenwriting and directing (he penned the 1998 thriller “The Siege”), before two jets crashed into the World Trade Center Towers, another careered into the Pentagon and a fourth laid waste to a field in Pennsylvania.

After the terrorist attacks of 9/11, Wright diligently and furiously went to work reporting the event for The New Yorker, an endeavor that would lead to his book “The Looming Tower,” one of the seminal works of non-fiction written about America’s most horrifying hour.

“I’ve never attached myself to any other project with such intensity and with a sense of history looking over my shoulder,” Wright told the Statesman’s Patrick Beach in 2006. “I knew it was the most important thing I would probably ever do, so I felt that I had to give it everything I had … I had some advantages in that I spoke some Arabic and had lived in that part of the world, but I was constantly aware of how much I didn’t know, how much I had to learn in order to understand the perspectives of the people I was writing about.”

Apparently Wright devotes himself as fully to his hobbies as he does his work.

From Beach’s interview:

If it sounds like all Wright does is work, that’s a bingo — he works at his job and his fun. He started playing piano halfway through his 38th year specifically so he could play “Great Balls of Fire” on his 40th birthday, and plays in the local blues collective Who Do.

His piano teacher, Floyd Domino, says, “As people get older they get more comfortable and challenge themselves less. Larry challenges himself more.”

His tireless research, intellectual curiosity and passion set Wright apart from his peers. And as one of only two (as far as I can discern) Austinites to win a Pulitzer for book writing, along with David Oshinsky, Wright is not only one of the best writers in the city, but one of the best in the world.

(Read Patrick Beach’s 2006 excellent interview with Wright here.)

Image of Lawrence Wright in 2007 from Rodolfo Gonzalez AMERICAN-STATESMAN.

Complete poll results

Lawrence Wright, 41 percent

Sarah Bird, 35 percent

Kinky Friedman, 4 percent

Turk Pipkin, 3 percent

Spike Gillespie, 2 percent

Tim O’Brien, 2 percent

Owen Egerton, 2 percent

David Lindsey, 2 percent

Stephen Harrigan, 2 percent

H.W. Brands, 2 percent

Joe Nick Patoski, 1 percent

Ben Rehder, < 1 percent

Jeff Abbott, < 1 percent

Douglas Brinkley, < 1 percent

Diane Fanning, < 1 percent

David Oshinsky, < 1 percent

James D. Hornfischer, < 1 percent

Craig McCullough, < 1 percent

Steven Saylor, < 1 percent

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Austin may not get the national love that Houston gets when it comes to rap, but we’ve got our fair share of rap artists of all stripes that hold it down and represent the River City.

The winner of this year’s poll took home 64 percent of the vote while knocking off some of the bigger and more established names in the game.

Hip-hop act Ratarue lists 90s conscience hip-hop icons Tribe Called Quest, Del The Funky Homosapien and De La Soul as influences. But the baritone lyricist is also not shy in giving nods to rock n’ roll, which explains his role as one of the vocalists in hip-pop-punk band Spin Alley, which won last week’s Your A-List poll for Best Local Punk Band.

According to his MySpace page, “Ratarue’s debut, full length, 18-song album entitled ‘Odd Augmentation Inc.’ will be coming out in the Fall of 2009.” From that album comes this Austin-centric video for the song “Maintain Scrilla.”

Others receiving votes

SparkDawg, 7 percent
Bavu Blakes, 6 percent
Overlord, 5 percent
Zeale 32, 3 percent
Young Nick, 3 percent
Dirty Wormz, 2 percent
Dred Skott, 2 percent
Terp 2 It, 1 percent
KJ Hines, 1 percent
Gerald G, 1 percent
Phranchyze, < 1 percent
Southern Boy Entertainment, < 1 percent
Mirage, < 1 percent
Crew 54, < 1 percent
Tee Double, < 1 percent
Element 7D, < 1 percent
Mike Wade, < 1 percent
Basswood Lane, < 1 percent
Traygod Shakhem, < 1 percent
Smoke Jumpers, < 1 percent
D.O.S., < 1 percent

Image from Ratarue’s MySpace page.

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Like Barton Springs and Waterloo Records, Stubb’s seems to be one of those places that visitors to the city always mention as one of their favorite spots. Even if not by name, they will at least tell you, “this cool barbecue restaurant that has an amphitheater behind it.”

The venue that visitors remember so fondly is also a beloved by locals and won 36 percent of the vote in this week’s poll.

Stubb’s, which has played host to artists ranging from Metallica to the Indigo Girls, has been planning expansion for some time and also been named in discussions regarding the city’s sound ordinances.

The following comes from an April 17 blog by the Statesman’s Michael Corcoran:

Stubb’s co-owner Jeff Waughtal says his lawyer has been in the process of getting the 2,100-capacity Waller Creek Ampitheater classified as a music venue as part of renovation plans. “It never was an issue before,” said Waughtal, who said he was under the impression that because a greater percentage of Stubb’s business is as a music venue, rather than a restaurant, the decibel limit would remain at 85 dB. But to make sure, he said “we’re in the process of addressing that.”
As for the $5 million expansion of Stubb’s into a 4,000-capacity outdoor venue, with a companion new 1,400- capacity indoor venue, Waughtal said he and his architects are still working on a site plan to present to the city. The expansion plans were first announced more than two years ago.
Waughtal went before the city planning commission April 14 seeking city approval to not only build a 35,753 square foot indoor venue on the corner of 9th and Red River Streets, but to add 6,445 square feet to the outdoor venue and 4,295 square feet to the existing barbecue restaurant. The commission recommended approving the plan, which the City Council is expected to hear on Thursday.
The eastern part of the property along Waller Creek, which was formerly a dairy, is currently in a flood plain, which has made the process much more difficult, Waughtal said. “If the Waller Creek tunnel project goes ahead, we won’t have to worry about a lot of these things in six years.”
But the bigger Stubb’s won’t wait that long. Waughtal said the first stage of construction will be the new 1,400-cap. venue. The earliest work on that would start is at least 18 months from now, he said.

Others receiving votes

Zilker Park, 13 percent
The Mohawk, 11 percent
Auditorium Shores, 10 percent
Threadgill’s, 10 percent
Tim’s Porch at The Backyard, 5 percent
Cedar Street Courtyard, 3 percent
Scoot Inn, 3 percent
Club de Ville, 3 percent
Emo’s, 2 percent
The Belmont, 2 percent
Kenny Dorham’s Backyard, 1 percent
Austin City Hall, < 1 percent
Creekside Lounge, < 1 percent
Light Bar, < 1 percent

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New shops come and go, Goodwill feels as if its always been around. Some vintage stores may have a selection that suits you better, but you’d have trouble beating the prices at the place that took home 33 percent of the vote in this week’s poll.

On top of feeling good about recycling other people’s old goods, you can also take heart in the mission statement of Goodwill Industries, which is to “provide job-related services and opportunities for people with barriers to employment.”

With over a dozen locations in the Greater Austin area, you’re never too far from some good deals on used furniture, clothes, etc. And if you really want to stay abreast of the goings on at Goodwill, you can even follow them on Twitter.

Others receiving votes

Four Hands, 19 percent
Uncommon Objects, 11 percent
Room Service, 10 percent
Uptown Modern, 8 percent
Homegirls, 6 percent
Mercury Design Studio, 4 percent
Eclectic, 3 percent
Nest, 3 percent
Kirk, < 1 percent
Prototype Vintage, < 1 percent
La Luz, < 1 percent

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Sitting outside is nice. Booze is nice, too. Drinking booze while sitting outside is really nice. Especially when you can do so on a balcony patio with stellar views, hence the victory in this week’s poll by the Stephen F. Austin (40 percent of the vote).

The swanky hotel has a popular, highlighted with some serious Texas touches (see: mounted longhorn over the hand-tooled leather bar and cowhide barstools). But arguably the greatest attraction of the Stephen F. Austin’s bar is the terrace that wraps around the hotel, offering views of the Texas Capitol, Congress Avenue and Seventh Street. When the weather is nice, it’s hard to find a better spot in town to have a drink.

Others receiving votes

Oasis, 14 percent

Hula Hut, 11 percent

Hotel San Jose, 6 percent

Opal Divine’s, 5 percent

Doc’s Motorworks, 3 percent

Vivo, 3 percent

Freddie’s, 3 percent

Mozart’s, 3 percent

Iguana Grill, 3 percent

Little Woodrow’s, 3 percent

Z’Tejas, 2 percent

Rio Rita, 2 percent

Trudy’s, 2 percent

Cedar Street, < 1 percent

Cedar Door, < 1 percent

Mesa Ranch, <1 percent

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More archives...

Two of Austin’s oldest and swankiest downtown hotel bars did battle this week, with the Intercontinental Stephen F. Austin beating out The Driskill for honor of Best Hotel Bar.

The bar at the Stephen F. is classy, and as one would expect, is highlighted with some serious Texas touches (see: mounted longhorn over the hand-tooled leather bar and cowhide barstools). With a feel that is part cigar bar and part men’s grill at a prestigious country club, the bar offers plush seating in small clusters and a magnificent bar at which to sip your single malt scotch, Basil Hayden’s or one of any number of specialty martinis.

But arguably the greatest attraction of the Stephen F. Austin’s bar is the terrace that wraps around the hotel, offering views of the Texas Capitol, Congress Avenue and Seventh Street. When the weather is nice, it’s hard to find a better spot in town to have a drink.

Others receiving votes

The Driskill, 26 percent

Hotel San Jose, 13 percent

Four Seasons, 12 percent

Hyatt Regency, 3 percent

Hilton Austin, 2 percent

Lakeway Inn, 2 percent

Barton Creek Resort, 2 percent

Omni, 1 percent

Radisson Downtown, 1 percent

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April 22, 2009

Your A-List: Best New Addition to Austin's Retail Scene

Despite the lagging national economy, Austin still seems to be going pretty strong (right?). How else can you explain the wealth of new options for shopping that sprang up over the past year?

Newflower Farmers Market, winner with 25 percent of the vote, probably realized that they had a pretty good bet, opening an organic grocery in a town that falls over itself (commendably) for trying to promote a greener lifestyle. I haven’t made my way down south (strategic location, out of the shadow of Whole Foods and just far enough away from Central Market) to the location that opened in February of this year, so I will leave the details to our Addie Broyles, who wrote about Newflower in Food Matters.

[From Food Matters, 02/11/09]

Move over Whole Foods, Central Market, Sun Harvest and Wheatsville. There’s a new organic grocer in town.

Newflower Farmers Market at William Cannon Drive and Manchaca Road in South Austin opens today. Newflower CEO Mike Gilliland, who in 2002 founded the Boulder, Colo.-based chain known as Sunflower Farmers Markets in five other Southwestern states, knows he’s entering a tough market where several other retailers already compete for green grocery dollars. Newflower takes an approach similar to Trader Joe’s, the discount natural grocer that has yet to put a store in Central Texas: “Our goal was to take elements of Trader Joe’s — low prices and unusual products — and expand it,” says Gilliland, who is in Austin this week to open the store (the first Texas one opened in Plano in November).

Produce takes up a third of the store, he said during a sneak preview on Monday. Despite the name, the store isn’t selling much produce from local farmers — yet. Look for in-season produce from local sources later in the year, Gilliland says, because “local is the new organic.”

The store, set up with lower shelves that make the space seem larger than its 26,000 square feet, touts everyday specials such as 3 for $10 wines and low prices on 750 products carrying Newflower’s house-brand label of “Serious Food…Silly Prices.” It will offer sushi and pre-made deli items to-go, an olive bar, potted herbs, freshly baked goods and organic and natural meat, including Harris Ranch beef. Newflower’s simplicity is refreshing, but don’t expect a real farmers’ market. 6920 Manchaca Road, 687-2204. Open 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. seven days a week.

Others receiving votes

Mellow Johnny’s, 20 percent

Patagonia, 15 percent

Breakaway Records, 10 percent

Lululemon, 6 percent

Teuscher Chocolates of Switzerland, 5 percent

Cornucopia, 5 percent

Domy Books, 4 percent

Beyond Tradition, 3 percent

Mode, 2 percent

Kirk, 2 percent

Minx, 2 percent

Bo Concept, 1 percent

Ligne Roset Boutique, 1 percent

Millipede, < 1 percent

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Your A-List: Best Place to Feel Like a Kid

In a town with an adult populous that prides itself on feeling/staying young, it is no surprise that there were quite a few places receiving loads of votes this week. But in the end, there can only be one winner, and Austin’s beloved Barton Springs takes the honor, narrowly edging out Peter Pan Putt Putt, chain Dave and Buster’s and the eclectic Toy Joy.

Barton Springs, which received 18 percent of the votes in the poll, is almost always named by Austinites as a place out-of-towners should visit. In the era of high-rise condos and urban development, it is an oasis in the heart of the city that represents and transports us to a more quaint time, when the city felt a little more rural and a little less urban. For only $3 a day, you can go relax in the sun (or shade), chat with friends, practice yoga, read a book, listen to locals play music or watch them practice capoeira to your heart’s content. I do take a slight exception with the high price of the summer pass ($180 for 105 days) and the fact that the “south” gate is not open more hours during the weekdays, but I came here to praise Barton Springs, not to nitpick it.

And, since the City of Austin can promote their beloved crown jewel better than I, here is what it has to say on the city’s Web site:

Within Zilker Park’s 358 acres, lies one of the crown jewels of Austin, Barton Springs Pool. Three acres in size, the pool is fed from under ground springs and is on average 68 degrees year round. Over the years, Barton Springs Pool has drawn people from all walks of life, from legislators who have concocted state laws there to free-spirited topless sunbathers who turned heads in the seventies. Even Robert Redford learned to swim at the pool when he was five years old while visiting his mother’s relative in Austin. Today, Barton Springs still attracts a diverse crowd of people.

Millions of years ago Barton Springs, the fourth largest natural springs in the state, was created as a result of a landshift that created the Balcones Fault.
Named in honor of Andrew Jackson Zilker. “Colonel Andy”, as friends called him, donated the land now known as Zilker Park. In 1884, at age 18, Zilker, who had left his native Indiana to seek his fortune, came to Austin with only 50 cents in his pocket and got a job at an ice plant, which he eventually bought. He then became the first Coca-Cola Bottler in Austin. Shortly after Zilker bought the land in 1901, he built a small concrete pool and amphitheater for members of his Elks Club organization, at the site of one of the three springs, where people had gathered for centuries.

Native Americans called them the Sacred Springs and came there to heal their wounds. Spanish friars believed to be the first European settlers in the Austin area set up three temporary missions at the springs in 1730-31 before they moved to San Antonio. In 1837, William “Uncle Billy” Barton, built his rustic cabin on a tract of land which included the springs. Since he owned several adjoining tracts, the area came to be known as the “Bartons”. He named the three springs after his daughters Parthenia, Eliza and Zenobia. The largest spring became known as the main spring at Barton Springs Pool. Another spring feeds the Elks Amphitheater pool that Zilker built near the present day Barton Springs Pool. A third spring bubbles up from the Sunken Garden on the east side of the park.

Between 1917 and 1934, A.J. Zilker donated his land along the south bank of the Colorado in stages, to the Public Free Schools of Austin on the condition that the city of Austin buy the tract from the public schools for inflated prices. School officials placed money from the sale in a trust fund for manual training for what is known today as the school-to-work-program.

Barton Springs Pool has been a popular swimming hole for decades, but even more people showed up once it became part of a city park in 1917. In 1929, workers enlarged the irregular-shaped pool to 1,000 feet long by building a concrete lower dam and sidewalks on both banks. In 1932, the city added an upper dam. Over the years the springs has been the site of a flour mill, a source of drinking water for many citizens and a popular location for baptisms, family picnics, social gatherings, musical performances, fishing and swimming.

Many approach a dip in Barton Springs Pool’s chilly 68 degrees water with a religious zeal. Devotees relish swimming in the roomy expanse of spring water, framed by century-old pecan trees. Those who plunge down under the diving board to look at the main spring, which pumps an average of 27 million gallons of water a day, say that the pulsating action reminds them of a steady heartbeat.

In 1943, Jean Parker was the first women lifeguard at Barton Springs. Members of the Texas Pool and Beach Association decided at the conclusion of their annual conference of park and recreation authorities to allow women to lifeguard, because most eligible men had entered the armed forces. This was the beginning of the change from the traditional “big husky lifeguards watching over the flocks to beautiful girls gracing the lifeguard towers over the nations pools.”

Beverly Sheffield, who served as director of the Austin Parks and Recreation Department from 1946-1973, swam at Barton Springs for 73 years, longer than any of today’s regular swimmers. He began when he was 10 years old and on into his 80s, Sheffield continued to go the pool three days a week, weather permitting until his death.

In 1992, 2 University of Texas scientists, filed an emergency petition seeking federal protection of the Barton Springs salamander. Zoologist, Mark Kirkpatrick and his geologist wife, Barbara Mahler, prepared the petition under auspices of the Save Barton Creek Association and The Hill Country Foundation. This petition was filed with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Services, which has authority to list wildlife under the federal Endangered Species Act. In 1998, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service named the Barton Springs salamander as an Endangered Species.

The only known surface habitats of the Barton Springs salamander (Eurycea sosorum) are located in Barton Springs pool, Eliza Springs, Old Mill Springs (Sunken Garden) and Upper Barton Springs. The salamander is lungless and relies on a pair of conspicuous red gills located behind the head for effiecient gas exchange. Currently the City of Austin and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service are working together to support operation of the pool while protecting this species.

Others receiving votes

Peter Pan Putt Putt, 17 percent

Dave and Buster’s, 16 percent

Toy Joy, 16 percent

Terra Toys, 7 percent

Main Event, 6 percent

Austin’s Park and Pizza, 6 percent

Lake Travis, 5 percent

Blazer Tag, 4 percent

Skateland, 3 percent

GattiTown, 2 percent

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April 15, 2009

Your A-List: Best Place to Buy Beauty Products

Once you get your hair did, you have to maintain, people (not that I would know much about that). And when it comes to beauty products, especially those for the head, it seems The Beauty Store is your preferred destination location.

The winner, with 38 percent of the vote, of this week’s poll opened in 1988 and has since expanded to four locations, with the newest store opening at Braker Lane and US 183 in the summer of 2008. While the stores do carry cosmetic lines by Glo Mineral and Jane Iredale, their real bread and butter is the bevy of hair care products they carry. And for those looking to save a buck in these tough economic times, twice a year the stores offer free liter day, in which you get a free 32 oz. bottle of shampoo with the purchase of a 32 oz. bottle of conditioner.

Others receiving votes

Sephora, 28 percent

Ulta, 17 percent

Nordstrom, 7 percent

Lux Apothetique, 4 percent

Bath and Body Works, 2 percent

Emerald’s, < 1 percent

Body Shop, < 1 percent

Myka, < 1percent

Sabia, < 1 percent

Black Butterfly, < 1 percent

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Your A-List: Best Tattoo Parlor

Among the dozens of tattoo shops in Austin, Chris Trevino’s Perfection Tattoo garnered the most votes in this week’s Your A-List poll, taking home 20 percent of the vote.

As a high school kid in San Antonio, proprietor Trevino used to see kids in the punk scene with tattoos he admired, so he sought out the man responsible for the work, Perfection owner Bob Moreau. Conveniently, Moreau’s tattoo parlor was located in Trevino’s neighborhood, so when he was old enough, Trevino went to work as an apprentice in 1988.

In 1992, Trevino moved to Austin and took over ownership of the Austin location of Perfection, which had opened in 1978.

The 40 year-old Trevino has spent parts of the past decade traveling to Japan and training in the traditional art of irezumi, and solely dedicates his practice now to said artistry. However, with four employees (including Moreau) on hand at the shop, all with different specialties, Trevino assures me that his crew can handle just about any design you can come up with.

Others receiving votes

Steadfast Tattoo, 13 percent

Atomic, 10 percent

Southside, 9 percent

True Blue, 6 percent

Diablo Rojo, 5 percent

Rock of Ages, 5 percent

Gully Cat, 4 percent

River City, 4 percent

Platinum Ink, 3 percent

Resurrection, 3 percent

Black Cat, 3 percent

Triple Crown, 3 percent

Ancient Ink, 3 percent

Body Adorned, 2 percent

Republic of Texas, 2 percent

Eternally Bound, < 1 percent

Golden Apple, < 1 percent

Skingraver, < 1 percent

Mad Dog, < 1 percent

Amillion, < 1 percent

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April 8, 2009

Your A-List: Best Place that Delivers

Just like renting a cheesy movie, sometimes indulging in the guilty pleasure of snacking is best done in the comfort of your own home. That’s where Pluckers comes in very handy. Austin’s homegrown wings palace took home 26 percent of the vote and the crown of Best Place that Delivers in this week’s Your A-List poll.

While Pluckers has built a solid reputation as a great place to watch a game (or 10 at once) and guzzle enormous mugs of cold beer, the luxury of double-dipping fried pickles in ranch dressing in between devouring dozens of spicy wings is made all the more pleasurable when you eat them on your couch, because you can’t exactly take a nap at the table when you’re in one of their actual restaurants.

Others receiving votes

The Soup Peddler, 15 percent

East Side Pies, 11 percent

Hog Island Deli, 9 percent

Texican Cafe, 8 percent

Hao-Hao, 6 percent

Craig O’s, 4 percent

Southside Flying Pies, 4 percent

Hil-Bert’s, 4 percent

Rockin’ Tomato, 3 percent

Rounders, 3 percent

First Wok, 2 percent

Bamboo Garden, 2 percent

Pao’s, 1 percent

Super China, < 1 percent

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Your A-List: Best Chefs

Tyson Cole has become one of the biggest celebrity chefs in Austin, and with good reason. Uchi, his sushi restaurant on South Lamar Bouelvard, has become one of the busiest and most popular fine dining options in the city. It is no wonder then that Cole and his staff received 26 percent of the vote to win this week’s Your A-List poll.

The temple of sushi won the honor after beating out the delicious game-loving restaurant Hudson’s on the Bend and the decadent and sublime Wink. The precious yet modern Austin bungalow restaurant, designed by architects Michael Hsu and Joel Mozersky, came to life in 2003 and, at the time, was a welcome two-star addition to the growing sushi scene. In the past six years, Cole’s creation has become a paragon of creativity and quality in the Austin restaurant scene, drawing rave reviews from critics and diners alike.

The jewel on South Lamar prides itself not only on the freshest of ingredients but also on top-notch service, a forward-thinking approach to flavor components and decadent presentation. Needlefish displayed as a sort of flying dragon complemented with a citrus vinaigrette presented in an oyster shell on a bed of salt in a wooden bowl is just one example of the fanciful culinary delights you may find at Uchi. In addition to classic fish preparation and flavors, Cole and his crackerjack staff, who have a say in initial menu suggestions, also like to throw in a taste of the local, as evidenced in Uchi’s madai sashimi of black snapper with ruby red grapefruit.

Others receiving votes

Hudson’s on the Bend, 19 percent

Wink, 10 percent

Vespaio, 9 percent

Driskill Grill, 7 percent

Roaring Fork, 5 percent

Aquarelle, 4 percent

Fonda San Miguel, 4 percent

Imperia, 3 percent

Bess, 3 percent

Jezebel, 2 percent

Jasper’s, 2 percent

Siena, 2 percent

Cibo, 2 percent

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April 1, 2009

Your A-List: Best Bartenders

Some people go to clubs for music, some for atmosphere, some for the drink menu, but almost anybody will tell you that a bad experience with a bar staff will keep them away from a place. The Red Fez on Fifth Street definitely has the first three bases covered, and from the votes in this week’s poll, they also have the last one covered, as well, as it received 38 percent of the vote in the best bartenders poll.

The small bar that bumps has an Arabian nights feel, and in addition to hookahs, the bartenders, who keep up with the often frantic pace of the booze-fueled crowd, also serve up tasty drinks such as habanero martinis and caipirinhas. Not quite Middle Eastern cocktails, but they do the trick.

Others receiving votes

Oilcan Harry’s, 24 percent

Rain, 24 percent

Trudy’s, 3 percent

Lucky Lounge, 2 percent

Gingerman, 2 percent

Club de Ville, 1 percent

Casino El Camino, 1 percent

Dog and Duck, < 1 percent

Fado, < 1 percent

Draught House, < 1 percent

The Mohawk, < 1 percent

Mother Egan’s, < 1 percent

Saba, < 1 percent

Prague, < 1 percent

La Zona Rosa, < 1 percent

Zax, < 1 percent

Backstage Bar, < 1 percent

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Your A-List: Best Place to Hear Local Bands

As the Live Music Capital of the World, Austin obviously has no shortage of venues for local and touring musicians. But one of the clubs closest to the hearts of all Austinites and out-of-town music lovers is Antone’s, winner of this week’s Your A-List poll with 22 percent of the vote.

Blues lover Clifford Antone opened his little blues club that could in 1973 near Sixth and Brazos before bouncing it up north, and then to The Drag before eventually returning the club to its rightful place downtown, where it has been doing business on Fifth Street since 1997.

Although it began as a home to local and out-of-town blues players, the club has morphed over the years and now features acts of all musical stripes, but the blues will always be in its blood. For a good retrospective on the club from its 30th anniversary, check out Joe Gross’s piece from 2006.

Others receiving votes

Continental Club, 20 percent

Saxon Pub, 15percent

The Mohawk, 9 percent

The Parish, 8 percent

Emo’s, 7 percent

Momo’s, 6 percent

Elephant Room, 4 percent

Hole in the Wall, 4 percent

Red Eyed Fly, 2 percent

Beerland, 2 percent

Headhunters, 1 percent

Ego’s, 1 percent

Room 710, < 1 percent

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March 25, 2009

Your A-List: Best Disc Golf Course

Not only is Pease Park the most visible disc golf course in the city, it is also the most popular, at least according to voters in the Your A-List poll. With 43 percent of the vote, the park that runs along Lamar Boulevard is this year’s winner for Best Disc Golf Course.

While the park is extremely popular with those who prefer their golf without collared shirts, some wonder if the park and its grass are suffering from overuse by disc golfers, as noted by Pamela LeBlanc in her Fit City column earlier this month.

[From Fit City, 03.09.09]

Today, Pease Park is the scene of the drum-circling, tie-dye-drenched annual Eeyore’s Birthday Party each spring. It’s popular with hikers, picnickers, cyclists and dog walkers. And ever since 1989, a wildly popular 18-hole disc golf course has put unique pressures on the narrow, fragile strip of parkland along North Lamar Boulevard.

On warm weekend afternoons, up to 700 disc golfers converge on Pease, criss-crossing the creek and scrambling off trail as they pitch flying discs into metal baskets. The constant activity along the environmentally sensitive creek corridor, the assessment says, exacerbates the park’s decline. Park activists point to bare ground and tree trunks damaged by errant discs.
While some Austin parks with disc golf alternate between two courses, letting one recover for part of the year while the other is in play, there’s barely enough room for one course at Pease, much less two.

Some fans of the park, including Nokes and Tina Contros, an architect who is involved with the Old Enfield Homeowners Association nearby, suggest it’s time to redesign the course or close it down. At the least, the city could charge disc golfers a greens fee to help pay for park maintenance and repair, they say.

“It’s just not the right use anymore,” Contros says.

But, as LeBlanc noted in a follow-up blog on the topic, not everyone sees the issue the same.

“If we are forced to stay off the course, people will go down there and play what is called object golf. Instead of throwing discs into the basket, you just hit the object. We can bring in our own baskets or we can use a tree or pole,” Kurt Standiford says.

Others receiving votes

Bartholomew District Park, 21 percent

Zilker Park, 15 percent

Mary Moore Searight Metro Park, 11 percent

Wells Branch Park, 6 percent

Old Settler’s Park, 5 percent

Circle C Ranch Metropolitan Park, 4 percent

Texas State University campus, 3 percent

Slaughter Creek Metro Park, 2 percent

Our Savior Lutheran Church, < 1 percent

Moody’s Disc Golf Course in Bastrop, < 1 percent

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Your A-List: Best Kids Menu

Anyone with kids know that finding a place that suits kids and adults can be a daunting task, although Austin does have a nice selection from which to choose. Among the best family friendly options in town is the Waterloo Ice House. The Austin original that got its start on Congress Avenue took home 37 percent of the vote and the crown as the Your A-List winner for best kids menu.

In addition to the relaxed atmosphere and live music by which Waterloo has made its name, the restaurants, which have expanded in number to eight over the past 33 years, offer a great kids menu with junior sized servings of the traditional burgers and chicken tenders along with a few kid-specific items like mac and cheese, mini corndogs and PB&J that are sure to keep the kids busy while the grown ups eat. And, if the kids finish first, they can keep themselves busy coloring. Sounds like a win-win for both the grown-ups and the little Austinites.

Others receiving votes

Phil’s Icehouse, 12 percent

Central Market, 10 percent

Kerbey Lane, 10 percent

Mama Fu’s, 5 percent

EZ’s Brick Oven Grille, 4 percent

Zen, 4 percent

Whole Foods, 4 percent

Tres Amigos, 2 percent

Elsi’s Restaurant, 2 percent

Freddie’s Place, 2 percent

Pok-e-Jo’s, 2 percent

Cafe 1626, 2 percent

Brentwood Tavern, 1 percent

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March 19, 2009

Your A-List: Best spot to catch a Central Texas sunset?

The Oasis seems to have trademarked (or tired to) the Texas sunset, but contrary to the opinion of some, the massive restaurant does not have a monopoly on beautiful late afternoon vistas. Point in case, the Iguana Grill out on Ranch Road 620, took home this year’s Your A-List prize as the best place to catch a sunset.
The Mexican restaurant, which has been around for almost 15 years, situated on beautiful Lake Travis offers standard Tex-Mex fare and seafood plates to accompany the margaritas and sunsets for which they have become beloved enough to take home 36 percent of the vote in the poll.
Iguana Grill [site] 2900 Ranch Road 620 266.8439

Others receiving votes

The Oasis, 28 percent

Mount Bonnell, 14 percent

Lake Travis, 6 percent

Downtown skyscrapers, 4 percent

Loop 360 scenic overlook, 4 percent

Hula Hut, 3 percent

UT Tower, 2 percent

Zilker Park, 2 percent

Pennybacker Bridge, 1 percent

Write-in: Driftwood Winery Estate

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March 11, 2009

Your A-List: Best Statesman Columnist

It is fitting that on her final week at the Austin American-Statesman, TV columnist Diane Holloway receives the honor of Your A-List poll winner for Best Statesman columnist.
Having worked with Holloway for a couple of years now, I can attest that not only is she a hard worker, and one passionate about television, she is kind, affable, generous and a pretty saucy smart aleck, to boot.

Holloway, who received 42 percent of the vote, began covering television for the Statesman in 1979, and over the past 30 years, has become one of the most trusted and respected voices at the paper, as well as a writer beloved by much of her audience.

For those of you who did not see the farewell package that ran online and in the paper on Tuesday, here are some links of interest regarding our diminutive TV columnist who will be missed dearly and leave behind some very big shoes to fill.

After 30 years of finding the best in TV, Diane Holloway concludes her broadcast day

Photos: Diane’s all-time Top 20 shows

Photos: Diane through the years

Video: A farewell from Diane

Diane’s TV blog

Others receiving votes

John Kelso, 27 percent

Kirk Bohls, 9 percent

Cedric Golden, 6 percent

Addie Broyles, 4 percent

Ben Wear, 4 percent

Michael Barnes, 2 percent

W. Gardner Selby, 2 percent

Chris Garcia, 1 percent

Andrea Ball, < 1 percent

Eileen Flynn, < 1 percent

Marques Harper, < 1 percent

Peter Mongillo, < 1 percent

Sarah Lindner, < 1 percent

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Your A-List: Best Steakhouse

I’m no historian, but you’d be pretty hard pressed to find a restaurant that has been serving up hot food in Austin longer than the Hoffbrau Steakhouse, with 38 percent of the vote, winner of the Your A-List poll for Best Steakhouse.

Fancy steak joints with their leather booths, white tablecloths and coiffed waitstaff may come and go, but Hoffbrau has become an Austin tradition, serving steaks off their griddle for 75 years. The lemon-butter sauce that comes on the steaks at Hoffbrau may not exactly resemble the flavor of either of said items, but it is certainly refreshing to be able to buy a 17-oz. T-bone dinner (salad, potato, iced tea) for under $20, or about the same price as an appetizer at some of the city’s swankier joints.

Some places survive the test of time by simply offering friendly service and authenticity, which the historic Hoffbrau does as well as any place in town.

Others receiving votes

Austin Land and Cattle, 18 percent

Ruth’s Chris, 12 percent

Texas Land and Cattle, 8 percent

III Forks, 7 percent

Fleming’s, 7 percent

Joe DiMaggio’s, 3 percent

Truluck’s, 2 percent

McCormick and Schmick’s, 2 percent

Backstage, 1 percent

Finn and Porter, < 1 percent

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March 4, 2009

Your A-List: Best Cocktail

In an alliterative battle of the M’s, Trudy’s infamous Mexican Martini took down other favorite margaritas and martinis to once again win the honor of Best Cocktail in the Your A-List poll (with 38 percent of the vote). Margaritas ruled the day in Texas for ages, but ever since people realized that taking out all that silly ice would help make the job of getting buzzed a lot easier (nevermind the fact that it tastes better, if made with quality ingredients), the Mexican Martini has become a favorite of many Austinites. And nobody does it better than the folks at Trudy’s, who would ask that you only have two, please.

Others receiving votes

Mexican Martini at Cedar Door, 14 percent

Purple Margarita at Baby A’s, 14 percent

Cucumber martini at Manuel’s, 9 percent

Prickly Pear Margarita at Vivo, 6 percent

Chilango Margarita at El Chile, 4 percent

Mango Margarita at Hula Hut,3 percent

Pomegranate Cosmopolitan at Belmont, 2 percent

Batini at Four Seasons, 2 percent

Caipirinha at Saba, 2 percent

Wedding Cake at Brown Bar, 2 percent

Batini at Lamberts, 1 percent

Haleakalada at Hula Hut, 1 percent

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Your A-List: Best Place to Park Downtown

People who complain about parking at night in downtown Austin have apparently never lived in bigger cities with much more density and little street parking. We’re lucky here because unless you’re lazy, rich or in a hurry there is never a real need to pay to park. We have ample street parking, and if you loop around a bit, and headed a few blocks away from the maddening crowd, chances are you’ll find a spot eventually. Apparently you all recognize that, hence the reason street parking received 35 percent of the votes to win the Your A-List poll for Best Place to Park Downtown.

Others receiving votes

City Hall garage, 13 percent

State garage at Fourth and San Antonio streets, 12 percent

Teachers Retirement System lot, 12 percent

Garage at Seventh and Lavaca streets, 9 percent

Valet parking, 7 percent

Under Interstate 35, 4 percent

Austin Convention Center garage, 4 percent

U.S. Post Office lot, 4 percent

One American Center garage, 2 percent

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Your A-List: Best Comics Store

You don’t have to be a comics nerd to recognize that Capstone Comics is doing a good job of keeping Austin entertained, as evidenced by their second consecutive win in the Your A-List poll.

Whether you’re looking for Marvel, DC, Image, Capstone, which got 69 percent of the votes, has it all. And not just the new stuff. Capstone, located on Parmer Lane, has a nice collection of Silver Age comics, in addition to more recent stuff such as bobbleheads, posters and apparel.

The store also features a nice back-issue selection, and they care about their graphic novels, as all new issues come bagged and boarded. And apparently, despite these tough economic times, Capstone is doing something right to stay afloat, as you can even spot the occasional Capstone TV commercial.

Capstone Comics [site] 2121 W. Parmer Lane, Suite 107 339-4251

Others receiving votes

Austin Books & Comics, 15 percent

Dragon’s Lair, 8 percent

Half-Price Books, 3 percent

Bee Cave Comics and Games, 2 percent

Funny Papers, 1 percent

Comics and More, < 1 percent

First Federal, < 1 percent

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February 25, 2009

Your A-List: Best Locally-Owned Chain Restaurant

The Anchor of Barton Springs Road’s Restaurant Row, Chuy’s has become synonymous with Tex-Mex food in Austin, and with 26 percent of the vote, is the winner of the Your A-List poll for Best Locally-Owned Chain Restaurant.

With five area locations, the Elvis-centric palace of fajitas, burritos, enchiladas y mas began carving itself a niche in the heart of the Austin community in 1982, when owners Mike Young and John Zapp opened the original location.

Host to a seemingly endless string of families, daters, the young, old and anyone with a hankering for grilled meats and queso, Chuy’s has also done well to help feed folks during these lean economic times with a good happy hour deal of free chips, queso, salsa, beef and beans in the bar area from 4 to 7 p.m. Mondays-Fridays, with house margaritas going for $3.50.

Others receiving votes

Maudie’s, 12 percent

Rudy’s, 11 percent

Thundercloud, 8 percent

Chango’s, 7 percent

The County Line, 6 percent

Freebird’s, 6 percent

Schlotzky’s, 6 percent

Mangia, 3 percent

Zen, 3 percent

Pok-e-Jo’s, 3 percent

Taco Cabana, 2 percent

Brick Oven, 2 percent

Taqueria Arandas, 2 percent

Austin’s Pizza, 2 percent

Pollo Regio, 2 percent

Pizza Nizza, < 1 percent

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Your A-List: Best Place to Line Dance

There may be businesses that have been around Austin longer than this week’s winner for Best Place to Line Dance, The Broken Spoke, but you’d be hard pressed to find one more iconic.

Opened by James White on 1964, the Spoke is the epitome of a classic Texas dancehall and conveniently located just miles from downtonwn. Of course, when White first opened the doors, the South Lamar Boulevard location was considered to be the edge of town.

“Like the club, owner James White is a throwback to the days of honky tonk. The club gets a fresh-faced crowd of dancers every Thursday for Jesse Dayton,” says Statesman scribe Michael Corcoran.

The Broken Spoke [site]
3201 S. Lamar Blvd. [map]

Others receiving votes

Gruene Hall, 16 percent

Midnight Rodeo, 11 percent

Graham Central Station, 11percent

Coupland Inn and Dancehall, 9 percent

Rainbow Cattle Co., 9 percent

Dallas, 6 percent

Swiss Alp Dance Hall, 1 percent

Sefcik Hall, < 1 percent

Silver Dollar Dance Hall, < 1 percent

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February 18, 2009

Your A-List: Best Smoothie

(A note of full disclosure: I am good friends with Daily Juice co-owner Matt Shook.)

Few places in Austin feature the character(s) and passion for product as the Daily Juice, winner of this week’s Your A-List poll.

Former employees of what was once called the Juice Joint, Shook and his partner Keith Wahrer opened Daily Juice on Barton Springs Road almost six years ago, and have since taken their love of fruits, vegetables, natural foods and exotic elixirs to new locations: Lake Austin Boulevard and Duval Street in Hyde Park.

Daily Juice offers a wide variety of organic vegetable and fruit juices and smoothies. Customers can make their own or order from a broad array of juices and smoothies already devised by the juice masterminds. The store also carries delicious vegetarian and vegan food products, from the Vegan Snicker Doodle to an assortment of treats offered by Baraka Foods Co., a natural food company owned by Daily Juice co-owner Keith Wahrer. Additionally, the newest Juice location in Hyde Park offers a raw foods cafe.

I spoke with Shook earlier today about the Juice’s second win in a row. And he had the following to say: “We are an Austin original. We represent Austin: historic old building, fun staff, seriously good quality, and close to the soul of the city — Barton Springs.”

In addition to keeping Austin’s health-conscious residences packed full of vitamins and nutritional information, the Juice has also made its mark on the community — throwing epic impromptu parties such as the one following the Saturday of the Austin City Limits Festival last year and hosting cocktail nights at the Belmont last spring.

Daily Juice [New Web site]
625 Barton Springs Rd.
480-9501

4500 Duval St
380-9046

2307 Lake Austin Blvd.
628-0782

Others receiving votes

Whole Foods, 24 percent

Central Market, 9 percent

Jungle Juice, 9 percent

Amy’s, 7 percent

Maui Wowi, 3 percent

Flipnotics, 3 percent

Wheatsville, 3 percent

MamboBerry, 2 percent

Zoombaz, 2 percent

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Your A-List: Best Spa

There is something to be said for staying power, and that is exactly what AZIZ Salon and Day Spa has. The winner of this week’s Your A-List poll, with 42 percent of the vote, opened 36 years ago off West Lynn Avenue, making it one of the first full-service day spas in Central Texas.

AZIZ later moved over to West Seventh Street, and has since opened a South Austin location, where they continue to pride themselves on their commitment to excellence in customer service and the latest styling and treatment trends.

I must admit, I have never had the pleasure of visiting Aziz, so I had to let them “speak” for themselves here. From their site: “AZIZ Skin Wellness Center continues to be a leader through the adoption of innovative treatments and techniques including: Epilight hair removal, Medi Spa services such as medi-facials, as well as microdermabrasion, the exclusive HydraFacial and clinical consultations for pre and post-operative clients. AZIZ spa guarantees a clients relaxation offering a vast number of soothing treatments and massages.”

AZIZ Salon, Day Spa and Skin Wellness [site]
710 W 7th St.
476-4131

5400 Brodie Ln. in Sunset Valley
891-0420

Others receiving votes

Lake Austin, 13 percent

Milk + Honey, 13 percent

MAK (write-in), 6 percent

Mecca, 6 percent

Barton Creek, 4 percent

Four Seasons, 4 percent

The Crossings, 4 percent

Salon 505, 3 percent

Jackson Ruiz, 3 percent

Ann Kelso, 1 percent

Joie de Vie, < 1percent

Dayhouse, < 1 percent

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February 11, 2009

Your A-List: Best Open Mic Night

Sure, you can go to a coffee shop to hear some open mic performances, but if you want a real taste of what Austin is all about (or used to be about, or what Spicewood is all about, really) then you want to head to a honky tonk, like Your A-List winner Poodie’s Hilltop Cafe (40 percent).

Located on Highway 71, west of town, Poodie’s is a classic Texas bar, gravel driveway, no frills exterior and interior, and offers open mic nights each Wednesday. Considering it is classically Austin, I thought I would leave it to another Austin classic, Statesman music writer Michael Corcoran, to give us a few words on the joint:

“Poodie’s is a hangout for the Willie Nelson crowd in Spicewood, just down the road from Willie’s Pedernales Recording studio. Owned by Poodie Locke, who’s been Willie’s stage manager for more than 30 years. Such acts as Dave Mason, Big & Rich and Garth Hudson of the Band — not to mention Willie himself — have popped in. Also, great cheeseburgers.”

Poodie’s Hilltop Bar & Grill [site]
22308 State Highway 71 W
512.264.0318

Others receiving votes

Flipnotics, 27 percent

The Velveeta Room, 14 percent

Hill’s Cafe, 3 percent

Artz Rib House, 3 percent

Ruta Maya, 3 percent

ColdTowne Theater, 3 percent

Cactus Cafe, 2 percent

Ego’s, 1 percent

Trophy’s, 1 percent

Cheatham Street Warehouse, < 1 percent

Neo-Soul Lounge at Club Illusion, < 1 percent

Sam’s Town Point, < 1 percent

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Your A-List: Best Place You Can Still Smoke

The smoking ban means fewer cloudy bars that leave you smelling like an ashtray in the morning, but smokers have not been completely run out of the city. There are still a number of bars with patios that allow you to light up, and even a few places where you can still getaway with an indoor cig.

The winner of the Your A-List poll for best place where you can still indulge your nicotine addiction is G&S Lounge. One of South Austin’s best dive bars took home 47 percent of the vote and offers a back patio for the nicotine-inclined. Even though it backs up to a parking lot and offers no views, the back area is still popular at the bar that feels kinda like a clubhouse for drinkers, replete with video games, air hockey and one of the finest beer selections in town, not to mention refrigerators packed with cold mugs.

G&S Lounge
2420 S. 1st

Others receiving votes

Trudy’s, 17 percent

Shoal Creek Saloon, 8 percent

Crown and Anchor, 6 percent

Cedar Street Courtyard, 5 percent

Lovejoy’s, 5 percent
Opal Divine’s, 5 percent

Star Bar, 2 percent

Ego’s, 2 percent

Ruta Maya, 2 percent

Flamingo Cantina, 2 percent

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Your A-List: Best Place for a Romantic Dinner

When the moon hits your eye like a big pizza pie, you may be at Carmelo’s. The Austin Italian eatery has a “Godfather”-like grasp on this category, taking home its second win in as many years.

Carmelo’s stepped up its margin of victory from last year, taking 33 percent of the votes this year. The intimate Italian restaurant, located in an old warehouse building downtown, puts would-be romantics in the mood with soft lighting, stone walls and live music that permeates the restaurant. And, of course, delicious classic Italian fare.

Carmelo’s Ristorante [site]
504 E. 5th St.
477.7497

Others receiving votes

Jeffrey’s, 12 percent

The Oasis, 8 percent

Hudson’s on the Bend, 7 percent

Vespaio, 6 percent

Green Pastures, 5 percent

Eddie V’s, 4 percent

Vivo, 3 percent

Wink, 3 percent

Eastside Cafe, 3 percent

Uchi, 3 percent

Aquarelle, 3 percent

Roaring Fork, 2 percent

Andiamo, 2 percent

Zoot, 2 percent

Jezebel, 1 percent

Asti, 1 percent

La Traviata, 1 percent

Fino, < 1 percent

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February 4, 2009

Your A-List: Best Jukebox

It was a case of the old dog on the block beating the slightly-less-old dog in the vote for best jukebox, with Deep Eddy Cabaret (20 percent), edging out Casino El Camino (18 percent).

If you like your beer cold, cheap and served in about as unpretentious environment as you can find this close to downtown, then chances are you’ve probably been to the bar that shares its name with the adjacent swimming hole.

You’d be hard pressed to find a more laid-back crowd, full of old locals and youngsters with a taste for the old school. And, if you’re in Deep Eddy, you’re likely enjoying some of the classics while you sip on your beer with the friendly bar staff and colorful locals. Nothing goes with a cold Lone Star like some musical accompaniment from the Red Headed Stranger or old Blue Eyes, and rare is the time you can get out of the place without hearing at least one of their tunes. And what other bar in town can you find where you might end up giving Jerry Jeff Walker a piggy-back ride in the parking lot a la my friend Anthony Lostracco?

Deep Eddy Cabaret
2315 Lake Austin Blvd.

Others receiving votes

Casino El Camino, 18 percent

Barfly’s, 10 percent

Mean-Eyed Cat, 10 percent

Ginger Man, 9 percent

Longbranch Inn, 8 percent

G&S Lounge, 7 percent

Poodle Dog, 6 percent

Club de Ville, 3 percent

Side Bar, 3 percent

Rio Rita, 3 percent

Creekside Lounge, 2 percent

Little Thailand, 2 percent

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Your A-List: Best Bakery

If you have a taste for carbs and sugars, you may want to wear a bib into Russell’s Bakery, with 30 percent of the vote, winner of this week’s poll, because they place is a veritable temple to the pleasures of empty calories.

One look at the display case filled with muffins, hand-decorated cookies, cake (chocolate espresso, anyone?), danishes and brownies (try the Oreo brownie), will send your head spinning and heart racing.

Beyond the baked sugary goodness, the somewhat non-descript but pleasant shop near the intersection of Balcones Drive and Hancock Road also sells delicious, fresh sandwiches and homemade soups. I tried half a chicken salad sandwich with a cup of tomato bisque today (along with said Oreo brownie), and will definitely make a return trip to the bakery that started in the Bartyon Skyway neighborhood over a dozen years ago.

Russell’s Bakery
3339 Hancock Dr. [map]

Hours
Monday-Thursday: 6:30 a.m. - 8 p.m.
Friday: 6:30 a.m. - 9 p.m.
Saturday: 7 a.m. - 9 p.m.
Sunday: 7:30 a.m. - 5 p.m.

Others receiving votes

Upper Crust, 22 percent

Sweetish Hill, 14 percent

Tiff’s Treats, 8 percent

Texas French Bread, 6 percent

Hey Cupcake!, 5 percent

La Mexicana, 4 percent

Lucy’s Cakes, 3 percent

Quack’s, 2 percent

Phoenicia, 1 percent

Mi Victoria, 1 percent

Hyde Park, 1 percent

Mr. Natural, 1 percent

ATX Vegan Bakery, < 1 percent

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January 28, 2009

Your A-List: Best Radio-Sponsored Event/Series

Nothing says (or sounds like) “summer” like KGSR’s Blues on the Green, with 27 percent of the vote, winner of the Your A-List poll for Best Radio-Sponsored Event/Series.

The free concert series which has seen incarnations at several venues over the past 20 years, offers a cool musical respite from Austin’s brutal heat. Each week during the summer, many of them KGSR listeners, flock to Zilker Park to hear music from such acts as Los Lonely Boys and Marcia Ball. The traffic jams, stream of pedestrians down Barton Creek Road and tunes wafting over South Austin have become an Austin tradition.

Others receiving votes

KVET free concert series at Hill’s, 20 percent

KGSR Unplugged at Shady Grove, 16 percent

Bobby Bones Anniversary Bash, 10 percent

101X Homegrown Live concerts, 6 percent

101X X-Mas Party, 5 percent

J.B. and Sandy’s Beach, 5 percent

Bobby Bones Second-Chance Prom, 4 percent

Bobaritaville, 3 percent

Hot 93.3 Meltdown, 3 percent

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Your A-List: Best Movie Popcorn

Who can go to a movie without eating their weight in popcorn? Certainly not I. There is just no way to separate the movie-watching experiment and popcorn eating (unless you’re allergic to corn or awesome).

While every theater in town offers popcorn, the Alamo Drafthouse(s) has set itself apart, and its South Lamar location, with 26 percent of the vote, is the winner of the Your A-List poll for Best Movie Popcorn.

Unlike many chain theaters, you don’t have to take out a second mortgage to buy the salty goodness, either, and if you prefer your popcorn with butte, you’re in luck, as the Alamo uses real butter on its Fancy Farm popcorn.

And as an added bonus, the presentation of the Alamo’s popcorn makes you feel right at home, with stainless steel bowls or vintage looking containers serving the small ($3.59), which is big enough for two, and the large ($4.99), which is big enough for eight. Get crazy an add a side of herbed parmesan and romano cheese for $1. Your heart will thank you.

Others receiving votes

Alamo Drafthouse at The Ritz, 10 percent

Alamo Drafthouse Lake Creek, 9 percent

Alamo Drafthouse Village, 9 percent

AMC Barton Creek Square, 6 percent

Regal Gateway, 5 percent

Regal Westgate, 5 percent

Cinemark Austin Southpark, 4 percent

Regal Arbor, 3 percent

Cinemark Round Rock, 3 percent

Tinseltown Pflugerville, 3 percent

Cinemark Hill Country Galleria, 2 percent

Dobie, 2 percent

Paramount Theatre, 2 percent

Cinemark Cedar Park, 2 percent

City Lights Theaters Georgetown, 2 percent

Galaxy Highland, 2 percent

Regal Metropolitan, 2 percent

Millennium, 1 percent

Tinseltown South, 1 percent

Regal Lakelike Mall, < 1 percent

Starplex, < 1 percent

Showplace Cinema, < 1 percent

Cinemark Round Rock Discount Movies, < 1 percent

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January 14, 2009

Your A-List: Best Place for Cheap Drinks

One good thing about being one of the most booze-happy cities in America is that there is no shortage of places to find cheap drinks. In fact, there are so many great choices that our readers couldn’t come to a consensus as to the best place to go get buzzed on the cheap. Barfly’s, the awesomely dingy on Airport Boulevard, officially won the Your A-List poll for Best Place for Cheap Drinks, but finished in a statistical dead heat with Ginny’s Little Longhorn and Treasure Island Pirate Bar. All three bars finished with 14 percent of the vote, but when last call was announced and the lights came on, Barfly was left standing.

Not only does the trio offer cheap drinks, but with each one in a different part of town — the classic dive Ginny’s on N. Burnett Road, the home-to-the-weekday-crowd dive Barfly’s on Airport, and the just-barely-21 magnet Treasure Island — you’re just a short drive/walk/bus ride away from liquid bliss.

Others receiving votes

Poodle Dog Lounge, 12 percent

Horseshoe Lounge, 9 percent

Nasty’s, 9 percent

Jackalope, 7 percent

Longbranch Inn, 5 percent

Cheers, 5 percent

Carousel Lounge, 4 percent

Backstage Bar, 3 percent

Beerland, 3 percent

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January 7, 2009

Your A-List: Best Pet Store

People in Austin love their dogs. Like, seriously. They buy them clothes, take them to bars, restaurants, their offices and grocery stores, along with the traditional parks, trails, car rides, trips to Six Flags, etc. And while there are many options (most of which have punny names) when it comes to overindulging your pet obsession, there can only be one winner of the Your A-List poll for Best Pet Store.
With 38 percent of the vote, relative newcomer Lofty Dog in the 2nd Street District, is considered the cat’s pajamas by you, the readers. Lofty Dog (get it? you put your animals on a pedestal and live in a loft) caters to the recent urbanites who have moved downtown, along with office workers looking to walk to buy pet food, thereby saving them a stop on their drive home.

Owner Veronique Michalik eventually grew tired of the land development business she’d worked in for years, and decided she wanted to own a pet store. She called up her sons, got the family on board, and opened Lofty Dog in September of 2007. The business is truly family-owned and operated, with Michalik and her two sons, Colin and Ian (along with Ian’s girlfriend), serving as the stores only employees.

The light, airy and decidedly un-doggy-smelling store carries a host of premium and natural dog and cat foods, along with toys, treats, clothes (UT or rhinestone-studded jumper for your pug, anyone?) and petphemera. As an added bonus for those living in the 01-05 zip codes, the store also delivers pet food and hopes to expand its in-store services to include grooming and daycare in 2009.

Beyond offering all of your necessary and unnecessary but oh-so-adorable pet gear, Lofty Dog also sponsors meet-ups and events, such as this Thursday’s “Poochinis,” an evening that includes manicures for the dogs and Tito’s martinis and Z Pizza for their owners. Oh, downtown, is there anything you can make hip (or add booze to)?

Lofty Dog
403 W. 2nd St.
476.5050
(Free two-hour parking available in the City Hall garage)

Hours
Monday - Saturday: 10:00 am - 7:00 pm
Sunday: 10:00 am - 4:00 pm

Others receiving votes

Bark ‘n Purr, 27 percent

Tomlinson’s, 15 percent

Herpeton, 4 percent

Rivers & Reefs Pet Center, 4 percent

Gallery of Pets, 3 percent

Just for Pets, 2 percent

Zookeeper Exotic Pets, 2 percent

River City Aquatics, 1 percent

Bark ‘n Bubbles, 1 percent

Amazonia, < 1 percent

Aquatek, < 1 percent

K9Lives, < 1 percent

Partners, < 1 percent

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December 31, 2008

Your A-List: Best Women's Clothing Store

Certainly you can get away with wearing jeans and sandals pretty much anywhere in Austin, but that’s no fun. When you’re headed out and about, you wanna look nice, and chances are, if you’re a lady you’ve graced the stores mentioned in this week’s You’re a-List poll for Best Women’s Clothing Store.

This year’s winner in that category is the stylish and sophisticated By George, which took home 19 percent of the vote.
I must admit that I thought By George had only been around for a decade or so, but a little research on the Internet revealed that By George, and owners Katy and Matthew Culmo, have been rocking the designer fashions since 1977.

The By George flagship, which has been named one of the country’s Top Ten Boutiques by Lucky Magazine, is located at 6th Street and Lamar Boulevard and was joined recently by its little, slightly more casual sibling down south on South Congress Avenue. While the two stores have unique feels and merchandise, they both take pride in offering fashion that rises above and beyond trends.

By George
524 N. Lamar Blvd.
472.5951

1400 S. Congress Ave.
441.8600

Others receiving votes

Strut, 16 percent

Emerald’s, 13 percent

Goodie Two Shoes, 10 percent

Parts and Labour, 9 percent

SoLa, 6 percent

Girl Next Door, 5 percent

C.Jane, 4 percent

Feathers, 4 percent

Moxie and the Compound, 3 percent

Adelante, 2 percent

Blackmail, 2 percent

Estilo, 2 percent

Shiki, 2 percent

Y & I, 2 percent

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Your A-List: Best Local Web Site

(As an obvious admission of conflict of interest, let me say I work for Austin360.com and used to work for Austinist.com)

In a town where everyone has a blog, thousands Twitter and there is a plethora of wonderful entertainment sites, it is quite an honor for us at Austin360 to be voted as the winner, with 31 percent of the vote, of this year’s Your A-List poll for Best Local Web Site.

In addition to offering so much of the great entertainment content you get in the print version of the Austin American-Statesman, we at 360 are proud to offer thousands of entertainment and movie listings, hundreds of photo galleries and videos that enhance our reporting and often work as stand-alone pieces, and over a dozen blogs that range from the arts to music, movies, food and more that keep you connected and informed with Austin’s entertainment world.

In a move to stay interactive with our community, we’ve also taken to the social networking and micro-blogging waters, with our Facebook page and Twitter feeds, the latter of which has helped us to deliver you breaking news, updates from music fests and more.

All of the sites in this year’s poll do great work, and we appreciate the acknowledgment of those who voted for Austin360.

Others receiving votes

Statesman.com, 24 percent

TheScrewShop.com, 8 percent

Austinist.com, 7 percent

AusChron.com, 7 percent

Do512.com, 5 percent

BurntOrangeReport.com, 4 percent

News8Austin.com, 4 percent

LonghornNation.com, 3 percent

Texas Monthly.com, 3 percent

DailyTexanOnline.com, 1 percent

ShowlistAustin.com, < 1 percent

UnlockAustin.com, < 1 percent

SXSW.com, < 1 percent

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December 27, 2008

Your A-List: Best Place to Take a Tourist

It seems that at least alf the folks I meet who have had the ocassion to visit Austin always end up mentioning “some restaurant out by the lake that had just an awesome sunset.” The restaurant of which they speak is instantly recognizable as the winner of the Your A-List poll, with 18 percent of the vote, for best place to take a tourist, The Oasis.

While there may be better meals to be had in town or better venues for live music, it is pretty damn hard to argue with the signature selling point — the sunsets (replete with bell ringing and much hoopla) — at Beau Theriot’s restaurant which was opened in 1982.

Even a massive fire in 2005 could not stop this Austin landmark on Lake Travis, which re-opened just days after the fire and came back bigger and better than ever, with three stories of decks and enough room for a party of almost any size. In addition to the restaurant, there also plans under way to add condos, shopping and an entertainment district of its own.

Others receiving votes

Barton Springs Pool, 16 percent

South Congress Avenue, 15 percent

Mount Bonnell, 14 percent

Texas State Capitol, 11 percent
%
Bob Bullock Texas State History Museum, 7 percent

Lady Bird Lake Hike and Bike Trail, 6 percent

Zilker Park, 5 percent

Whole Foods Market, 3 percent

UT Tower, 2 percent

Blanton Museum of Art, 1 percent

LBJ Library, 1 percent

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Your A-List: Best Hangover Breakfast

In a town where people enjoy their fair share of imbibing, it is important to have a roster of eateries on which one can rely for a post-overindulgence meal. Fortunately, Austin is no slouch in this regard. While some may tend to a hangover with a bit of hair of the dog, the best way to sop up a hangover is by eating a lot of empty calories and queso. Lots of queso.

The winner of the You’re A-List poll for best hangover breakfast (although, as often as not, lunch is just as likely to be the day’s first meal after a battle with the bottle), with 23 percent of the vote, is Kerbey Lane Café, a landmark in Austin dining of the late night and early morning variety since 1980.

With locations spread across town, there is almost certainly a Kerbey Lane within crawling distance for you on those mornings that seem to come way too soon and seemingly never end. Whether you’re a traditionalist who loves steak and eggs, have a taste for some Tex-Mex and migas, or like to mix traditions with The Paris Texas Platter (migas, French toast and queso), there is almost certainly something for you on the 24-hour breakfast menu to help you through the early part of a long day and fill you up nicely for that nap you just know you want to take when you’re done.

Others receiving votes

Juan in a Million, 22 percent

Magnolia Café, 21 percent

Maria’s Taco Xpress, 9 percent

The Omelettry, 6 percent

Tamale House, 5 percent

Taqueria Arandinas, 5 percent

Star Seeds, 4 percent

El Sol y La Luna, 2 percent

El Chilito, 2 percent

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December 17, 2008

Your A-List: Best Place to Hear Live Music on a Weeknight

If you’ve got an out-of-town friend in town on a weekday and want to take them to hear some live music and get a good taste of what Austin is all about, chance are you’d take them to the Continental Club, winner, with 22 percent of the vote, of the Your A-List poll for best place to hear live music on a weekday.

When some complain about transplants ruining their town, they speechify about how they have been here for 30 or 40 years. That’s impressive and all, but the Continental has been around for over 50 years and is still going strong. The club, which was originally a private supper club which hosted such jazz/swing titans as Glenn Miller and Tommy Dorsey, is rumored to be the first in Travis County to leagally sell booze. The 50s gave way to burlesgue in the 60s and then a rotating cast of legendary songwriters and roots rockers in the 70s and 80s. In 1987, current owner Steve Wertheimer, one of the most familiar faces in South Austin, bought the club and restored it to its former glory.

Others receiving votes
Saxon Pub, 14 percent

Antone’s, 13 percent

Emo’s, 12 percent

The Mohawk, 12 percent

Cedar Street, 9 percent

Momo’s, 9 percent

Beerland, 5 percent

Ruta Maya, 2 percent

Flamingo Cantina, 1 percent

Room 710, < 1 percent

Ego’s, < 1 percent

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Your A-List: Best French Fries

The winner of the Your A-List poll for best French fries obviously think as highly of their taters as you do. How else could you explain the massive statue of fries outside of Hyde Park Bar & Grill, winner with 36 percent of the vote.

Whether you’re getting them as a side to your burger or just making a late-night pit stop to soak up the extended happy hour booze, people seem to love Hyde Park’s fries. They’re breaded and come served with some secret sauce that must have an ingredient in it that make people come back time and time again.

Others receiving votes

P. Terry’s, 13 percent

Billy’s on Burnet, 9 percent

Top Notch, 9 percent

Hut’s, 8 percent

Phil’s, 7 percent

Sandy’s, 7 percent

The Tavern, 4 percent

219 West, 3 percent

Quality Seafood, 2 percent

Starlite, 2 percent

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December 10, 2008

Your A-List: Best Place to Sip Wine

The wave of condos downtown, as well as on the east side and SoCo, has been accompanied by an explosion of wine bars.

While these new bars have seen varying degrees of success and patronage, you’d have to drive a little further north to find the winner of the Your A-List poll for Best Place to Sip Wine.

A little over a mile up Guadalupe St. from The University of Texas, bordering Hyde Park, you will find Vino Vino, winner with 19 percent of the vote.

Opened in October of 2006 by Jeff Courington and Kelly Bell, the refined yet warm and inviting bar offers tables for groups of all sizes and an impressive collection of over 300 bottles of wine, priced from $17 - $80. The establishment, which initially offered only full bottles of wine, has since expanded to include wines by the glass ($6 - $15) as well as a delicious menu that can meet any appetite, with offerings ranging from small plates (cheese assortment, calamari, charcuteries, etc.) to full meals (pasta, beef short ribs, fish).

The wait staff is always affable and eager to assist the non connoisseurs, with the house’s “random red” (a daily house selection ranging in price) often serving well as an introduction for those who are intimidated by wine lists or simply indecisive. (For you beer lovers, Vino Vino also offers Real Ale, Chimay and Full Sail drafts.)

Outside of being Hyde Park’s preferred evening destination for dates, groups of friends and families looking to sip wine, the folks at Vino Vino also offer Saturday tastings from 3 p.m. - 5 p.m. and larger-scale events, such as its springtime Pink Fest, where they offer samplings of 44 roses, and its fall Turkey Fest.

This weekend the good folks at Vino Vino will be celebrating the fizzy stuff, with its Oodles of Bubbles Fest ‘08, which allows customers to pay $10 to sample all 41 of the bar’s bubbly offerings. Ooddles of Bubbles takes place in Vino Vino’s parking lot this Saturday from 2 p.m. - 4 p.m.

Vino Vino
4119 Guadalupe
465.9282

Others receiving votes

Cru, 14 percent

Malaga, 14 percent

Cork & Co., 12 percent

Uncorked, 8 percent

Vespaio, 7 percent

Wink, 6 percent

Green Pastures, 5 percent

House Wine, 5 percent

La Traviata, 3 percent

Enoteca, 2 percent

Zoot, 3 percent

Saba, 1 percent

Write-in: Vino 100, The Grove, Salt Lick

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December 3, 2008

Your A-List: Most Annoying Pseudo-Celebrity

Katharine Hepburn and Oscars. Barry Bonds and NL MVP Awards. Leslie Cochran and Most Annoying Pseudo-Celebrity in Austin nods. Fairly or not, it seems some people were just born to win certain awards. For the second year in a row, Austin’s most recognizable cross-dresser has received the ignominious prize, receiving a couple of more votes than cycling legend Lance Armstrong and fashionisto Stephen Moser.

People have as many varied reactions to Leslie as there are urban tales about his background and current living situation. Is he really a former UT professor? Does he live in a giant mansion in West Austin? And the list goes on.

What is known about Leslie is that you can hardly visit downtown on a weekend night without spotting him smoking cigarettes and chatting up locals and tourists alike. Whether he received this “honor” for his rather skimpy clothing (and sometime boorish behavior) or because others are jealous that he seemingly makes a living (and has his image branded on gifts sold around town) by being “weird” is unclear. Regardless, I am sure he is none to hurt at the recognition. After all, there is no such thing as bad press, right?

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November 19, 2008

Your A-List: Best Bookstore

Indpendent book titan BookPeople is located in the heart of the city, both literally and figuratively. And, with 44 percent of the vote, is the Your A-List winner for Best Bookstore.

In addition to being the home of hundreds of magazines and thousands of books, the store, which is regularly ranked as one of the best independent book stores in the country, boasts a knowledgable and friendly staff (whose literary picks assist in sorting through the maze of books), a quiet cafe that allows you to peruse before you purchase and a calendar chock full of visiting literary talent.

BookPeople
603 N. Lamar Blvd.
472.5050

Others receiving votes

Half-Price Books, 28 percent

Barnes & Noble, 14 percent

Borders, 7 percent

Monkeywrench, 2 percent

12th Street Books, 1 percent

Domy, 1 percent

Resistencia, < 1 percent

Austin Books and Comics, < 1 percent

Intellectual Property, < 1 percent

Write-in: Brave New Books

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Your A-List: Best Breakfast

Sure, you can have pancakes or a bran muffin for breakfast, but this is Austin, and the breakfast taco and migas reign supreme. Juan in a Million has been cranking out the delicious Tex-Mex staples for over 25 years, and, with 30 percent of the vote, is the winner of the Your A-List poll for Best Breakfast. With over a dozen breakfast tacos to choose from, along with a half dozen specialty breakfast plates, you could hit up the restaurant on East Cesar Chavez for a couple of weeks without eating everything on the menu.

Juan in a Million
2300 Cesar Chavez Street
472.3872

Others receiving votes

Kerbey Lane, 27 percent

Magnolia Cafe, 19 percent

Omelettry, 6 percent

Galaxy Cafe, 5 percent

Austin Java, 4 percent

El Sol y La Luna, 4 percent

Curra’s, 2 percent

The Frisco, 2 percent

Counter Cafe, < 1 percent

Write-ins: Austin Cafe, Bouldin Creek Coffee House, Cisco’s, Dan’s Hamburgers, Dart Bowl Cafe, El Flaco, Elsi’s, Maudie’s, Original Pancake House, South Congress Cafe, Taco Shack, Tamale House, Trudy’s, Waterloo Ice House

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November 12, 2008

Your A-List: Best Place to Buy Fresh Fruits and Veggies

Ah, the 21st … Internets, is there anything you can’t do? While we are fortunate to have great markets from which to buy fresh produce, the very busy of us are even more fortunate to have a place to buy excellent produce online. The winner of the Your A-List poll for Best Place to Buy Fresh Fruits and Veggies is the relatively new Greenling.com.

The local online purveyor, which took home 41 percent, offers (mostly) organic produce, along with a selection from all the food groups, delivered straight to your door for no extra fee. Simply ‘fill up your cart,’ select your preferred delivery date and then sit back and await your bounty. You have to make sure your list is updated three days prior to delivery, and can schedule recurring delivery on the same day each week or simply do a one-off delivery to see if you like the process and enjoy the food.

Costs for produce are slightly higher than other organic grocers, but I have heard nothing but rave reviews from friends and co-workers who have used the site. I still prefer to browse aisles and see what I’m getting before I buy it, but if I could be disciplined enough to stick to a list or didn’t have the time to make it to the grocery, I imagine that the growing Greenling would be a welcome switch to old-fashioned grocery shopping.

For more information on Greenling, head to the FAQ section on their Web site.

Others receiving votes

Austin Farmers’ Market, 20 percent

Manor Farmers’ Market, 12 percent

Central Market, 10 percent

Whole Foods Market, 6 percent

Sunset Valley Farmers’ Market, 5 percent

Boggy Creek Farm, 3 percent

Sun Harvest, 2 percent

Wheatsville Co-op, 2 percent

South Austin Farmers’ Market, 1 percent

Write-in: HEB

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Your A-List: Best Place to Buy Jeans

Why spend on new when you can buy used? That is likely the logic behind voters who made Buffalo Exchange the winner of this week’s Your A-List poll for Best Place to Buy Jeans.

The resale store located on the drag, which received 27 percent of the vote, has become a landmark in Austin, offering discount prices on used jeans (and a few pairs of new), along with a wide range of apparel for men and women, but the store actually originated in Arizona. Austin is one of four Texas locations for the chain, which now boasts more than two dozen storefronts.

And, during tough economic times, who doesn’t like saving money. In fact, Buffalo Exchange has become so well known that they recently received mentions from Forbes.com and CNN as being a good place to get designer goods on the (somewhat) cheap.

What follows is a brief history of Buffalo Exchange taken from their site.

The first Buffalo Exchange opened in 1974 in Tucson, Arizona by Kerstin and Spencer Block. To our knowledge, this was the very first store that bought, sold, traded, and took clothing items and accessories on consignment. Kerstin, being Swedish, thought the word “Buffalo” was very American. And since the store was going to be an “Exchange,” the store’s name was born. The store was in a 450 square foot space that had been an old union office on a side street near the University of Arizona. Kerstin’s love of fashion and thrill in finding a bargain combined to create the company that now has 34 stores and 2 franchises in 13 states, with $55.8 million a year in sales (as of Oct 2008). The Blocks still own and run Buffalo Exchange out of Tucson, along with their daughter Rebecca.

Others receiving votes

Hem, 22 percent

Lucky, 11 percent

Urban Outfitters, 9 percent

Luxe Apothetique, 8 percent

Diesel, 6 percent

By George, 5 percent

Cowboy Cool, 4 percent

Blue Elephant, 3 percent

Physical Fit, 2 percent

Service Menswear, 2 percent

Therapy, < 1 percent

Write-ins: Goodwill, Thriftland, Sam’s Club, Shepler’s

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November 5, 2008

Your A-List: Best Shopping Center

The relative new kid on the block in Austin’s shopping scene, The Domain, has been named the Best Shopping Center in the latest Your A-List poll.

While the mecca to shopping located just off of Mopac received some political attention in the form of Proposition 2 in the latest election, it is more well-known for its high-end stores (Burberry, Cole Hann, Lacoste, Neiman Marcus, Tiffany & Co., et al) a host of mid and upscale restaurants (Cru, Daily Grill, Flemming’s, Jaspers, et al) and its drive-thru mall feel.

Others receiving votes

Barton Creek Square, 23 percent

South Congress, 23 percent

Hill Country Galleria, 5 percent

Round Rock Premium Outlets, 5 percent

Lakeline Mall, 4percent

Prime Outlets, 4 percent

The Arboretum, 3 percent

Tanger Outlets, 2 percent

La Frontera, 2 percent

Capital Plaza, 2 percent

Second Street District, 1 percent

Highland Mall, < 1 percent

Wolf Ranch, < 1 percent

Shops at the Galleria, < 1 percent

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October 29, 2008

Your A-List: Best Tennis Courts

Austin is known as an outdoorsy town, with thousands of running, cycling and water sports enthusiasts. But we’ve also got our share of tennis lovers, who not only benefit from good local tournaments but a proliferation of public courts around the city. The winner of this week’s Your A-List poll for Best Tennis Courts, with 31 percent of the vote, is the South Austin Tennis Center.

South Austin Tennis Center doesn’t just throw up the nets and let people run wild, either. They are seriously committed to helping players of all levels improve their game. Beyond court rentals, there is a full slate of lessons for players of all ages and skill levels, as well as special classes such as the endurance-testing Cardio Tennis, which “provides an effective cardiovascular workout as well tennis-specific fitness and shotmaking training … set to upbeat music and taught by enthusiastic teaching pros.”

The SATC is now operated by California transplant Noah Rippner and his sister Brie Rippner-Parsons, both former national champions at the collegiate and junior level, respectively.

As stated on their site, “Noah and Brie endeavor to enrich the Austin Tennis playing community by making South Austin Tennis Center a professional, trustworthy, comprehensive, and above all else WELCOMING destination for Austin tennis players of all varieties.”

South Austin Tennis Center [site]
1000 Cumberland Rd. [map]
512.442.1466

Monday - Friday: 8:00 a.m. - 10:00 p.m.
Saturday and Sunday: 8:30 a.m. - 6:00 p.m.

Others receiving votes

Caswell Tennis Center, 23 percent

Austin High, 10 percent

Old Settlers Park, 9 percent

Westwood Country Club, 9 percent

World of Tennis, 5 percent

Intramural Fields, 4 percent

Little Zilker Park, 4 percent

Penick-Allison Tennis Center, 4 percent

Austin Tennis Academy, 2 percent

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October 22, 2008

Your A-List: Strongest Drinks

A cold beer can be nice on a hot day, but it’s so filling. Sometimes you just need a nice stiff cocktail to jump start your happy hour, or nose dive your night. Located in the middle of an ever-growing downtown, the Cedar Door, with 20 percent of the vote, takes home the prize as purveyors of the strongest drink in this week’s Your A-List poll.

The signature cocktail of choice for downtown workers, and lovers of the bar who have followed its move from West 15th Street (1975-1984) to East Cesar Chavez (1984-1989) to its riverside location (1990-2001) and eventually to its current Brazos Street location, is the Mexican martini. The drink is delicious, and packs the punch of a few beers, but is strong enough that the bar limits patrons to only two per customer. Head over to the giant patio, or the beer garden behind the bar, and you will more than likely find tables littered with shakers and martini glasses, as well as an affable regular crowd.

Others receiving votes

Brown Bar, 13 percent

Club de Ville, 11 percent

Lucky Lounge, 11 percent

Whisky Bar, 11 percent

Casino El Camino, 10 percent

Stephen F.’s Bar and Terrace, 9 percent

Hole in the Wall, 7 percent

The Mohawk, 7 percent

Red Fez, 2 percent

Write-ins: Rain, Side Bar, Six

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October 15, 2008

Your A-List: Best Liquor Store

With 60 percent of the vote Austin’s own Twin Liquors took the crown of Best Liquor Store from last year’s winner, the newish Spec’s. Growing up, there was a jingle for a dry cleaners that stated if you couldn’t find one of their locations in 10 minutes, you were lost. The same could be said for Twin, which has 53 stores in the Greater Austin area. That’s a lot of convenient booze. The local family-owned and operated company, which can be spotted sponsoring events around town, also offers in-store specials, such as their popular in-store wine tastings at 4 p.m. each week. A fantastic way to get your weekend off to the right start.

Twin Liquors opened in downtown Austin in 1982, but its roots actually extend all the way back to the late 1800s. Read more about the company’s detailed history on their Web site.

Others receiving votes

Avery Fine Wine & Spirits, 17 percent

Spec’s, 13 percent

Grape Vine Market, 4 percent

Whip-In, 2 percent

Reuben’s, 2 percent

Wiggy’s, 1 percent

Centennial, < 1 percent

Spirits, < 1 percent

Warehouse Liquors, < 1 percent

Write-in: Favorite Liquor

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Your A-List: Best Local Record Label

In an amazingly tight race for the title of Best Record Label in last week’s Your A-List poll, Chicken Ranch Records took home the prize, earning 37 percent of the vote, compared to runner-up Deep Eddy’s 36 percent.

In order to be a great Austin label, you can’t just put out strong, original material from a variety of bands, you gotta be able to throw a party, as well. In addition to putting out solid acts such as The Woggles, The Clutters, The Yuppie Pricks and Mr. Lewis and The Funeral 5, Chicken Ranch has established itself as one of the main party-throwin’ SXSW showcases in town over the past few years.

Chicken Ranch was established by Michael Dickinson in 1994 while playing in a punk band in Louisiana and has since bounced around the South, pinballing between Austin and Nashville, but it seems Dickinson is here to stay, for which the Austin music-loving community should be grateful.

Others receiving votes

Deep Eddy Records, 36 percent

New West, 10 percent

Texas Music Group/Antone’s, 6 percent

Peek-a-boo, 3 percent

Arc Light, 3 percent

Australian Cattle God, 2 percent

I Eat Records, 2 percent

Dead Oceans, 1 percent

Sweatbox, 1 percent

Write-ins: Dorato Records, Xylo

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October 8, 2008

Your A-List: Best Gym

In a battle for the title of Best Gym in the Your A-List poll, David took down Goliath, as the little gym that could, Hyde Park Gym, took home 34 percent of the vote, vanquishing foes with bigger names and bigger budgets (Gold’s, 24 Hour Fitness, etc.).

Looks like someone’s been eating their Wheaties. And pumping some serious iron. Located at 4125 Guadalupe St., the nondescript gym has been in business since the beginning of the Reagan administration. And while it may look small from the outside, the local gym that prides itself on no initiation fees, contracts or pushy sales people, features 7,000 sq. ft. of space for you to work up a sweat.

The gym features an interesting payscale, whereby you can pay for one visit ($8) or two years ($309). So whether you’re trying to sweat out the booze from the night before, fit into that new dress or get totally ripped, Hyde Park has a plan that can work for you. And for those skeptical of the place, you can also try it out for free for seven days by clicking a link on their site.

On a related note, check out Pamela LeBlanc’s recent article about heart transplant Lemuel Bradshaw, who stays heart healthy pumping up at HPG, and watch video of him here.

Hyde Park Gym

4125 Guadalupe St. [map]

459.9174

Others receiving votes

Lifetime Fitness, 29 percent

Gold’s, 9 percent

24 Hour Fitness, 7 percent

Pure Austin Fitness, 7 percent

UT’s Gregory Gym, 6 percent

YMCA, 4 percent

Castle Hill, 2 percent

The Hills Fitness Center, 2 percent

Premiere Lady, 1 percent

Write-ins: Body Business, Brothers Boxing Gym, Bruce’s KO Boxing Gym, Fit and Fearless, Richard Lord’s Boxing Gym

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Your A-List: Best Live Music Venue

In the Live Music Capital of the World, there may be dozens of excellent venues, but only one can be named the winner of the Your A-List poll for Best Live Music Venue. This year, that honor goes to Stubb’s, which took home 38 percent of the vote.

The outdoor ampitheater with the elevated slope sitting alongside Waller Creek has become quintessentially ‘Austin’ and for a dozen years has anchored the Red River music scene. How many other cities boast a venue where you can see anyone from The Roots to Wilco just after eating a nice barbecue dinner? Not many, I would imagine.

Located at 801 Red River St., the venerable bbq joint first opened in Lubbock before making the wise trip south, where it is equally known for its music as it is for its food, with both the outdoor stage and the club stage inside offering something to suit anyone’s musical tastes. If you really wanna get a taste for both the live music and the food, head over on Sunday for the Gospel Brunch.

Others receiving votes

The Backyard, 22 percent

Antone’s, 11 percent

Emo’s, 7 percent

Paramount Theatre, 6 percent

The Parish, 5 percent

La Zona Rosa, 5 percent

Elephant Room, 3 percent

One World Theatre, 2 percent

Beerland, 2 percent

Write-ins: The Bugle Boy, Hill’s Cafe, Momo’s, Saxon Pub

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Your A-List: Best Running Trail

You can’t be considered a great city if you don’t have an excellent running trail (see: Chicago, Seattle, New York, D.C., etc.). In Austin’s case, the pride and joy of the running community (along with the walking and people watching communities) is the winner of this week’s Your A-List poll for Best Running Trail, Lady Bird Lake.

The 10+ mile trail is accessible from the north, east, south and west and widely considered the crown jewel of Austin’s outdoor scene. Check out a map of the trail here.

Others receiving votes

Barton Creek Greenbelt, 10 percent

Enchanted Rock State Nature Area, 2 percent

Walnut Creek Park, 2 percent

McKinney Falls State Park, 2 percent

Pease Park, 2 percent

Bastrop State Park, 2 percent

Palo Duro Canyon State Park, 1 percent

McKinney Roughs, 1 percent

Lake Georgetown, < 1 percent

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Your A-List: Best Sandwich Shop

Seems you can’t go hardly anywhere in Austin these days without seeing one of the many Thundercloud Subs shops, winner, with 34 percent of the vote, of the Your A-List poll for Best Sandwich Shop.

People like to complain about what Austin used to be like, you know, before the condos and stuff. Maybe they should start using the, “I remember when there were only three Thunderclouds in Austin,” because now, according to their site, there are 26 locations in Austin, Round Rock, San Antonio and New Braunfels. I feel old.

Thundercloud made a name for itself in Austin, before the ubiquity of chain sandwich shops, by offering good sandwiches with fresh ingredients at low prices and served by friendly staff. Three decades later they are still at it, and chances are, if you’ve lived in Austin for more than three months, you’ve eaten at one. And if you’ve lived here three years, you know somebody who has worked at one. And if you’ve lived here 13 years, you’ve probably worked at one. That’s what I call an institution.

Others receiving votes

Schlotzsky’s, 11 percent

Which Wich, 10 percent

Texadelphia, 10 percent

Jimmy John’s, 9 percent

Hog Island Deli, 7 percent

New World Deli, 7 percent

Kitchen Door, 6 percent

Texas French Bread, 4 percent

Write-ins: Bambino’s, Delaware Subs, Foodheads, Gene’s New Orleans Food, Hoody’s Subs, Jersey Mike’s, Katz’s, Ken’s Subs, Tacos and More, Little Deli, McAlister’s Deli, Panera Bread, Pita Pit, Tex-Andwich, San Francisco Bakery

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October 1, 2008

Your A-List: Best Beer and Wine Selection

It may not be in the heart of the city, but Davenport Wines & Spirits, located on Capital of Texas Highway still draws folks from all around town with its large wine and beer selection, its climate-controlled wine cellar and free wine tastings. The 10 year-old establishment is winner of the Your A-List poll for Best Wine & Beer selection, with 36 percent of the vote, beating out heavyweights Spec’s and Central Market and indie titan Whip In. In addition to beer and wine, Davenport also boasts of an outstanding selection of unique vodkas, single barrel bourbons (my favorite), single malt scotches, cigars and more.

Davenport Wines & Spirits
3801 N. Capital of Texas Highway
Building E-Suite 180 [map]
732.2900

Others receiving votes

Spec’s, 31 percent

Central Market, 9 percent

Whip In, 7 percent

Grape Vine Market, 5 percent

Whole Foods, 5 percent

Twin Liquors, 3 percent

Wiggy’s, < 1 percent

Reuben’s, < 1 percent

Austin Wine Merchant, < 1 percent

Write-in: Hyde Park Market

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September 24, 2008

Your A-List: Best Singer-Songwriter

For years and years, after Stevie Ray Vaughan’s passing and before indie rock and the ubiquity of hipsters, Bob Schneider was more or less synonymous with the Austin music scene. And after all that time he’s still going strong and is the winner, with 27 percent of the vote, of the Your A-List poll for Best Singer-Songwriter.

Although, in a testament to our pop culture, some may have come to know Schneider as the boyfriend of Sandra Bullock for a time, the musician has had a strong career in various bands, starting with funk outfit Joe Rockhead, and moving on to the Ugly Americans, The Scabs (with whom he arguably got his first serious recognition), and eventually striking out on his own as a solo artist who also performed under the moniker Loneyland. Throughout his career, the guitar playing Schneider has mixed elements of funk, rock and, increasingly, the darkly romantic ethos of traditional singer-songwriter material to establish his familiar hybrid sound.

Schneider is still a regular fixture on the Austin scene, playing solo shows at the Saxon Pub, Antone’s and Threadgill’s regularly, and still pops up with members of the Scabs from time to time. His ubiquitous and long-standing presence on the Austin music scene is a testament to his endurance as a performer and the devoted fan base he has cultivated in his adopted hometown of Austin.

Others receiving votes

Joe Ely, 17 percent

Patty Griffin, 15 percent

Eliza Gilkyson, 15 percent

Bruce Robison, 10 percent

Ray Wylie Hubbard, 5 percent

Patrice Pike, 5 percent

Slaid Cleaves, 3 percent

Wendy Colonna, 2 percent

Bill Callahan, 1 percent

Write-ins: Doyle Bramhall, Adam Carroll, Matt Powell, Nathan Singleton, Wynn Taylor, Rick Trevino, Jimmy Vaughan, Mark Viator, Carolyn Wonderland, Josh Zee

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September 17, 2008

Your A-List: Best Radio Morning Show

In the battle for radio morning show supremacy, it was a two-horse race in the Your A-List poll, with winners the ‘Dudley & Bob Morning Show’ beating out reigning champ Bobby Bones and his crew.

The ‘Dudley & Bob Morning Show’ on KLBJ-FM took home 52 percent of the vote, thanks to a devoted fan base that tunes in each morning to hear Austin’s take on comedy shock jocks. Call it a Howard Stern starter kit.

The dynamic of the show generally has Dale Dudley, the native Texan who has been on Austin’s air for 20 years, playing the absurd self-deprecating wise-cracker with Bob Fonseca, his radio partner of 16 years, acting as his straight man, or as much a straight man as you can expect to find on FM morning radio, a format designed to wake people up with some laughter and head shaking. The addition funnyman and Austin High grad Charlie Hodge in recent years has also been a welcome addition to the show’s format.

In addition to their schtick, the show also does its part for the local scene by highlighting local musicians. Additionally, the show features interview segments with touring comedians, which seem to be a hit with the listenership.

Others receiving votes

‘Bobby Bones Show,’ 96.7 KISS-FM, 38 percent

‘J.B. and Sandy Morning Show,’ Mix 94.7, 5 percent

‘KASE Morning Crew,’ KASE, 2 percent

‘The Morning X,’ 101X, 1 percent

‘Morning Edition,’ KUT, < 1 percent

KMFA Classical 89.5, < 1 percent

*‘Orange Juice and Biscuits,’ KTSW (write-in), < 1 percent

‘The Talk of Austin,’ KVET, < 1 percent

‘KGSR in the Morning,’ KGSR, < 1 percent

‘Austin’s Morning News,’ NewsRadio 590, < 1 percent

‘Kidd Kraddick in the Morning,’ Jammin’ 105.9, < 1 percent

‘D-Train in the Morning,’ Hot 93.3, < 1 percent

‘Majic in the Morning with Kim and Alex,’ Majic 95.5, < 1 percent

‘Big Boy’s Neighborhood,’ Beat 104.9, < 1 percent

‘Family Friendly Mornings,’ The River 102.3, < 1 percent

BOB-FM, < 1 percent

‘The Wake-Up Call,’ KVET, < 1 percent

‘El Piolin,’ La Que Buena, < 1 percent

‘El Chulo y La Bola,’ La Ley, < 1 percent

‘The Wake-Up Call’ with Nelson Linder, Kenneth Thompson and Richard J. Smith, KAZI, < 1 percent

‘The Lounge Show,’ KOOP, < 1 percent

‘The Morning Rush’ with Erin Hogan and Mike Rosenthal, 1530 ESPN Austin

* Kudos to morning show ‘Orange Juice and Biscuits,’ which was able to garner enough write-in votes to land the Texas State University-based show in the top 10, ahead of several Austin stations owned by corporate giants.

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September 10, 2008

Your A-List: Best Gay Bar

Some places in Austin are simply the standard-bearers in their respective industries. BookPeople for books; Amy’s Ice Cream for, um, ice cream; Waterloo Records for music. The same can be said of Oilcan Harry’s, with 60 percent of the vote, winner of the Your A-List poll for Best Gay Bar.

There may be a gay bar or two that has been around longer than the Warehouse District stalwart, but none draws the crowds or the number of mentions as does Oilcan’s. As a testimony to its popularity, I would venture to guess that any visitor inquiring about local gay bars would first be directed to the bar on 4th Street, a distinction any establishment of any stripe would be proud.

The bar is generally home to a mid-to-upscale crowd who enjoy the bar as much as a place to hangout with friends as any kind of pick-up locale. On weekend nights, which now include Thursdays in case you didn’t know, the bar gets bumping with a dance crowd the likes of which you would be likely to find at any other dance club in town, gay or straight.

While other gay bars have come and gone, or slowly seen patronage taper off, over the past two decades, Oilcan’s seems to be as strong as ever.

Oil Can Harry’s
211 W. 4th St. [map]

Others receiving votes

Charlie’s: 13 percent

Rain: 11 percent

Chain Drive: 9 percent

Rainbow Cattle Company: 3 percent

Cockpit: 2 percent

‘Bout Time: 2 percent

Write-in: The Rusty Spur

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September 3, 2008

Your A-List: Best Park

Home to weekend picnickers, soccer fanatics, kite-fliers, festival-goers, and at one point or another anyone else in Austin not found under said umbrella, Zilker Park is winner of the Your A-List poll for Best Park.

The 351-acre natural retreat set along the Colorado River offers some of the best views of the downtown skyline, but feels miles and miles away from the crowded and noisy streets of the city’s center. Ask any local or visitor to the city what their favorite things are about Austin, and you Zilker Park is all but guaranteed to be near the top of that list.

From the City of Austin’s Web site:

In 1918, A.J. Zilker deeded the 35 acres surrounding Barton Springs to the City of Austin. In 1932, Zilker agreed to give the military school established during the First World War an additional 330 acres, joining the 35 acres on the north side of the original tract if the city would buy the acreage from the school for $200,000. This action was approved in a bond election and despite the economic depression of the 1930’s, the land was developed into Zilker Park.

Others receiving votes

Barton Creek Greenbelt, 14 percent

Auditorium Shores, 6 percent

Bastrop State Park, 5 percent

Hippie Hollow, 5 percent

Pace Bend Park, 5 percent

Bull Creek Park, 3 percent

Umlauf Sculpture Garden, 3 percent

Waterloo Park, 2 percent

Republic Square, < 1 percent

Write-ins: McKinney Falls State Park, Rollingwood Park

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Your A-List: Best Country Singer/Group

Roger Wallace went up against some of the biggest names in the country scene in Austin, from Asleep At the Wheel to Dale Watson and Kevin Fowler, but as the polls closed, he rode off into the sunset with 37 percent of the vote and the title of winner of the Your A-List poll for Best Country Singer/Group.

While this native of Tennessee may not be as well known as some of his competition, Wallace definitely has the work ethic to stay competitive on the local scene, constantly playing gigs at holes-in-the-wall all over town, from Ginny’s Little Longhorn to, well, the Hole in the Wall. Not only is the honky tonker just a picker and a singer, he also pens most of his own tunes, with co-writing credits on 12 of the 13 songs on his last album, “It’s About Time.” It looks like it may be just about time that the energetic performer with a voice that bangs off the back of the room starts getting a little more notoriety for his roots country style, and maybe one day find his name treated with the reverence of that given to some of his more famous competitors/vanquished Internet foes.

Others receiving votes

Jon Emery, 20 percent

Asleep at the Wheel, 12 percent

Dale Watson, 11 percent

Kevin Fowler, 8 percent

Derailers, 4 percent

Kelly Willis, 3 percent

Mother Truckers, 2 percent

Jesse Dayton, 1 percent

Sunny Sweeney, < 1 percent

Write-ins: Alvin Crow, Billy Dee, Heybale!, Kyle Park Band, Pauline Reese and High Country, Jim Stringer, Dale Watson

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August 27, 2008

Your A-List: Best Celebrity with Local Ties

Matthew McConaughey may have the Zen-surfer-cowboy act down, Lance Armstrong may be an eventual gubernatorial candidate and Sandra Bullock may be America’s sweetheart, but when it comes down to it, nobody can touch the Red-Headed Stranger. With 42 percent of the vote, Willie Nelson received more votes than the next three candidates combined, as he walked away once again as the winner of the Your A-List poll for Best Celebirty with Local Ties.

The man from Abbott, Texas, fortunately returned to the Lone Star State after a stint in Nashville as a songwriter and helped establish the Outlaw Cowboy scene here in the 1970s, acting as the unofficial reverend in the marriage of cowboys and hippies. Known almost as much at this point for his activism and philanthropy, Nelson will forever be known as one of the greatest songwriters in American history. With more albums, hits, awards, accolades and fans than any artist could ever dream of, Nelson is without a doubt truly deserving of the label of “legend.” There has never been one like him, and there will never be another. And, even as he celebrated his 75th birthday this year, Willie was to be found much of the year where he always is … on the road.

Check out our comprehensive package on Willie Nelson from earlier this year.

More links to Willie on Austin360:

Willie, A to Z

75 days of Willie

Photos: Willie’s 4th of July Picnic through the years

On the road with Willie

Others receiving votes

Matthew McConaughey, 15 percent

Lance Armstrong, 12 percent

Sandra Bullock, 12 percent

Robert Rodriguez, 5 percent

Luke Wilson, 4 percent

Richard Linklater, 4 percent

Dennis Quaid, 3 percent

Dixie Chicks, 3 percent

Andy Roddick, 2 percent

Write-ins: Ray Benson, Michael Dell, Mike Judge

Image of Matthew Odam and Willie Nelson courtesy of Odam family.

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Your A-List: Best Margarita

Hard to believe it’s already been a year since we started the Your A-List polls. Oh, the passage of time. We being this year’s polls with a familiar face/taste, as Trudy’s, winner with 23 percent of the votes in the Your A-List poll for Best Margatia, is our first repeat winner.

With three locations, and a fourth establishment in the form of the South Congress Cafe, Trudy’s has all of Austin covered with its Tex-Mex fare that is complimented perfectly by one of any number of margarta concoctions. While older patrons may prefer their ‘ritas on the rocks, it seems the frozen is still the drink of choice at Trudy’s. With its delicious use of Montezuma tequila, Trudy’s frozen margaritas are the perfect way to wind down a warm summer evening, whether after work or after class. For those who like to venture beyond the standard lime flavor, Trudy’s also offers strawberry, and for those who are indecisive, you can always swirl it up.

But, drinker beware, although these tasty treats look innocent, after a couple you may come to the realization that, unlike many of the patrons at the Texas Star location near campus, you are no longer a college student, and your tolerance ain’t what it used to be.

Others receiving votes

Baby Acapulco, 16 percent

Z’ Tejas, 13 percent

Manuel’s, 13 percent

Chuy’s, 10 percent

Vivo, 10 percent

Cedar Door, 4 percent

Iron Cactus, 4 percent

El Arroyo, 4 percent

Four Seasons, 2 percent

Write-ins: Abuelo’s, Azul Tequila, Curra’s, El Chile, Flores, Jardin Corona, Jorge’s, La Feria, Matt’s El Rancho, Maudies, Nuevo Leon, Polvo’s, Rain, Rio Grande, Serrano’s, Shady Grove, Tres Amigos

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August 20, 2008

Your A-List: Best Pool Hall

Good pool halls are dark, cavernous, smoky, offer a huge array of tables and hopefully have some music playing and a dartboard are two. No wonder, then, that The Grand (formerly Eric’s) on Airport Boulevard is the winner of this week’s Your A-List poll for Best Pool Hall.

The Grand, which took home 40 percent of the vote, is located in a non-descript strip center a few blocks west of I-35 and always seems to have available tables, a fact that seems to be greatly appreciated by the eclectic and friendly crowds who frequent the joint. The Grand also earns points for having a friendly bar staff and its massive bar.

Others receiving votes

Buffalo Billiards, 22 percent

The Warehouse Saloon & Billards, 12 percent

Clicks Billiard’s Inc., 8 percent

Stardust Club, 6 percent

Dave & Busters, 5 percent

The Side Pocket Billiards, 4 percent

Main Event Entertainment Center, 2 percent

Write-in: Slick Willie’s

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August 13, 2008

Your A-List: Best Dive Bar

Someone stumbled home to his computer from a long night of swillin’ beer and tellin’ lies just in time to put Lala’s over the edge in the Your A-List poll for Best Dive Bar. The North Austin bar with charm beat out the classic Deep Eddy Cabaret and Ginny’s Little Longhorn by four and five votes respectively. The close race proves that despite tapas bars, condos and nouvaue cuisine, many Austinites still hold the dive bar near and dear to their hearts, as well they should.

Just like any good dive bar, Lala’s, which is located on Justin Lane just off of Burnet Road, features a pool table, killer jukebox, seputagenarian bartender, confined space for drinking that instigates conversation between strangers, a host of colorful regulars and a full bar, naturally. And the pièce de résistance, year-round Christmas lights. You ain’t gonna find that at no yuppie bar on West Sixth Street.

Others receiving votes

Hole in the Wall, 10 percent

Horseshoe Lounge, 8 percent

Poodle Dog Lounge, 7 percent

The Jackalope, 6 percent

G&S Lounge, 6 percent

Carousel Lounge, 5 percent

Baryfly’s, 4 percent

Scoot Inn, 4 percent

Trophy’s, 2 percent

Write-ins: C. Hunt’s Ice House, Donn’s Depot, Ego’s, The Ginger Man

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Your A-List: Best Queso

Everybody in Austin seems to have an opinion about everything. And nowhere is that statement more evident than when it comes to queso. The Your A-List poll for Best Queso was as hotly (no pun intended) contested as any we’ve had, with four different establishments taking home double-digit percentages of the vote. In the end, Austin landmark Kerbey Lane narrowly edged out the even older landmark Matt’s El Rancho 17 percent to 16 percent for the crown, while Torchy’s and Magnolia Cafe rounded out the top four with 14 and 12 percent respectively.

With everyone and their madre serving queso in Austin, you can’t just melt some Velveeta and call it a day. You have to somehow set yourself apart. Kerbey has done so by adding guacamole to their queso, and offering the upgraded Cowboy Queso, which features black beans and guacamole covered with queso and topped with pico de gallo. According to their site, the stuff is so popular that the folks at Kerbey make 150 gallons of the award-winning queso every week. I think my heart just exploded.

Others receiving votes

Maudie’s, 9 percent

El Arroyo, 7 percent

Z Tejas, 5 percent

Polvo’s, 5 percent

Sazon, 4 percent

El Mercado, 4 percent

Nuevo Leon, 3 percent

Zocalo, 2 percent

Azul Tequila, 1 percent

Santa Rita, 1 percent

Write-ins: 10th Street Tacos, Alamo Drafthouse, Chango’s, Chuy’s, Curra’s, El Chile, Fonda San Miguel, Jaime’s Spanish Village, La Perla, Lamberts, Manuel’s, Posse East, Rio Grande, Texadelphia, Texican Cafe, Tres Amigos, Uncle Billy’s, Vivo

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August 6, 2008

Your A-List: Best Basketball Courts

Playing basketball in a nice air-conditioned gym is a nice escape from the unbearable Texas heat, but let’s face it, if you wanna find the best competition, you gotta head to the blacktops. While Austin is dotted with courts of various levels of quality, the West Enfield Park courts, winner with 37 percent of the vote in the Your A-List poll for Best Basketball Courts, are a cut above.

Located in the lovely park located off of MoPac that marks the northern terminus of the Johnson Creek trail, the courts offer solid footing, good nets and even better competition. Granted, it’s no Rucker Park, but when you tire of playing at your gym’s court (or on your Xbox) and want to really test your skills, slap on a headband and head over to the crowded Enfield courts on a weekend or after rush hour on a weekday and see what you’ve got.

Others receiving votes

Downtown YMCA, 25 percent

Barton Hills Playground, 7 percent

Shipe Park, 6 percent

Walnut Creek, 5 percent

Brentwood Park, 4 percent

Adams-Hemphill Park, 3 percent

Clarksville Park, 3 percent

Tanglewood Park, 3 percent

Alamo Park, 2 percent

Gillis Park, 2 percent

Ramsey Park, 2 percent

Wooten Park, 2 percent

Givens District Park, < 1 percent

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Your A-List: Best Place to Buy Used Records

To be the king, you gotta beat the king, and as it stands now, Waterloo Records doesn’t look to ready to leave its throne as Austin’s preferred music source any time soon. With 68 percent of the vote, one of the anchor’s of the Austin music scene is the winner of the Your A-List poll for Best Place to Buy Used Records.

Although it may have moved locations since its birth in 1982, and quadrupled in size, the mission of Waterloo to promote good music from around the world and Texas in particular, has never changed. And while there may be t-shirts, bumper stickers, DVDs and more for sale at the venerable store on Lamar Boulevard, they still carry that which rests in the heart of all good music lovers — vinyl. With over 5,000 used records, and a selection of new vinyl that grows daily, Waterloo continues to be a beacon for audiophiles and music lovers from Austin and around the world.

Others receiving votes

Cheapo Discs, 11 percent

End of an Ear, 6 percent

Half Price Books, 5 percent

Antone’s Records, 4 percent

Austin Record Convention, 2 percent

Backspin Records, 2 percent

DJ Dojo, 1 percent

Sound on Sound, < 1 percent

Friends of Sound, < 1 percent

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July 30, 2008

Your A-List: Best Place to Rent a Canoe/Kayak

When you’re driving over one of the bridges crossing Lady Bird Lake on a sunny day, you’ve probably noticed that the lake is often spotted with canoes and kayaks. Ever wonder where all of those watercraft come from? A safe bet would be that many of them originated at Zilker Park Boat Rentals, with 50 percent of the vote, the winner of the Your A-List poll for Best Place to Rent a Canoe/Kayak.

From 10 a.m. on weekdays and 9 a.m. on weekends until the summer sun sets over West Austin, you can rent a watercraft from the folks located inside Zilker Park for either $10 an hour or drop $40 and paddle all day to your heart’s content.Whether you and the family or a date want to head out for a leisurely paddle or you’re just looking for some alone time on the water, with a fleet of 17-foot Alumacraft and Grumman canoes and both Frenzy and Malibu Two Ocean Kayaks, Zilker Park Boat Rental has you covered.

Others receiving votes

Texas Rowing Center, 17 percent

Austin Canoe & Kayak, 20 percent

Rowing Dock, 11 percent

REI (north location), 3 percent

Lone Star Kayaks, 3 percent

Kozmik Kayaks, 1 percent

Capital Cruises, < 1 percent

Mud Outdoor Center< 1 percent

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Your A-List: Best Arcade

Live music, art exhibits, comedy? Sure, those things are nice, but who doesn’t like a good old-fashioned night of video game playing? Add to the mix food and cocktails, and Dave and Buster’s has come up with the recipe for alternative adult entertainment. With 56 percent of the vote, the arcade that doubles as a bar and restaurant serving a variety of standard pub grub and a host of cocktails and assorted beers, is the winner of the Your A-List poll for Best Arcade.

Others receiving votes

Main Event, 21 percent

Austin’s Park and Pizza, 15 percent

Blazer Tag Adventure Center, 5 percent

Millennium Youth Entertainment Complex, 3 percent

Write-in: Einstein’s

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July 23, 2008

Your A-List: Best Morning News Anchor/Team

When you wake up in the morning, you want to be greeted by a television personality with whom you can connect, someone who feels like a friend or part of the extended family. In a competitive market with several familiar faces, it is with distinction then that Univision 62’s recent addition Leslie Montoya, host of “Despierta Austin” (“Wake Up Austin”) has earned the top spot in the Your A-List poll for Best Morning News Team/Anchor.

One of Ms. Montoya’s already loyal viewers shared her opinion of the broadcaster with us via email: “I love Leslie. I think she’s very articulate and her enthusiasm is contagious, and we really like when she’s on the air.”

Others receiving votes

KXAN: Sally Hernandez and Chris Willis, 32 percent

KEYE: Fred Cantu and Elizabeth Dannheim, 17 percent

KVUE: Melissa Gale and Jason Hill, 5 percent

Fox 7: Joe Bickett and Katherine Kisiel, 3 percent

News 8 Austin: Todd Boatwright, < 1 percent

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Your A-List: Best Sno-Cones

The Your A-List poll for Best Sno-Cone was a classic north vs. south battle. Representing South Austin was the popular SnoBeach Hawaiian Shaved Ice. But hailing from North (north-central) Austin, it was Casey’s New Orleans Snowballs, with 33 percent of the vote, that took home the honors.

Built out of an old white house, Casey’s sits at the corner of 51st Street and Airport Boulevard. Bringing the snowball tradition of Southern Louisiana to the hot climates of Austin turned out to be a no-brainer for original owners Suzy Casey Gallagher and Kit Thompson. The stand has been serving up soft flavored ice with vibrant flavor and color now for over a dozen years in the eclectic neighborhood it calls home. With over 60 flavors of shaved ice, ranging from Bostom cream pie to bubble gum, there is something for every sweaty body with a sweet tooth.

Others receiving votes

SnoBeach Hawaiian Shaved Ice, 32 percent

Raspas, 20 percent

Jim-Jim’s Waterice, 8 percent

Sno-Cones, 3 percent

Snocones, 2 percent

Shelby’s SnoCones, < 1 percent

Baety’s Snocones, < 1 percent

Snowcones, Etc., < 1 percent

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Your A-List: Best Tapas

Sure Texans love steaks and barbecue and other hearty foods. But we’re not some kind of barbaric class who can’t enjoy small plates with a more international flare. Even someone in cowboy boots on can admit to enjoying the convenient delicacies of tapas. With 39 percent of the vote, the winner of the Your A-List poll for Best Tapas in Malaga.

The beauty of a tapas restaurant is that if you don’t like what you’re eating, try a bite of something else. The menu is vast, from red peppers stuffed with goat cheese to warm artichokes with manchego to smoked chicken raviolli, and with an extensive wine menu, you can spend all evening mixing and matching flavor components until you feel as if you couldn’t eat another bite (read: plate).

Others receiving votes

Saba, 19 percent

Fino, 12 percent

Louie’s 106, 11 percent

Tierra del Fuego, 5 percent

Segovia, 4 percent

Hyatt Regency Austin’s Marker 10 (write-in), 4 percent

Taste Select Wines, 3 percent

Wine Cellar at Barton Creek Wine Bar, 2 percent

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July 17, 2008

Your A-List: Best Art Gallery

The Live Music Capital of the World has been making inroads in all of the arts over the past decade or so. A burgeoning film scene, the new Long Center, a soon-to-be-built new home for the Austin Museum of Art, and a host of art galleries of all stripes popping up around town speak to Austin’s emergence as an art force in the Southwest.

The winner of the Your A-List poll for Best Art Gallery, Art on Fifth speaks to the fact that one not need a degree in art history or have spent hundred of hours touring the Louvre to appreciate the beauty and vitality of visual art.

With 39 percent of the vote, the gallery on (naturally) Fifth Street promotes itself as Austin’s largest contemporary art gallery, boasting a rotating schedule of exhibits and the works of Theodor Geisel, i.e. Dr. Seuss, attracting locals and out-of-town guests. The gallery also offers framing services, making the place your one-stop shop for getting a new piece for your house or office.

In addition, Art on 5th has also made a name for itself by bringing in some big names in the entertainment industry to exhibit their art. To wit, Grace Slick of Jefferson Airplane had a popular exhibition at the gallery last year. A rock star visiting an art gallery in the Live Music Capital of the World … a natural fit.

Others receiving votes

Blanton Museum of Art, 23 percent

Austin Museum of Art-Downtown, 9 percent

Austin Museum of Art-Laguna Gloria 6 percent

Harry Ransom Center, 6 percent

Women & Their Work, 7 percent

Artworks, 6 percent

Austin Galleries, 6 percent

Gallery Soco, 5 percent

Art Palace, 4 percent

Flatbed Press, 4 percent

Arthouse at Jones Center, 3 percent

Davis Gallery, 2 percent

Russell Collection Fine Art, 2 percent

D Berman Gallery, < 1 percent

f8 Fine Art Gallery, < 1 percent

Gallery Shoal Creek, < 1 percent

Haven Gallery, < 1 percent

Lora Reynolds Gallery, < 1 percent

Slugfest Printmaking, < 1 percent

Stephen L. Clark Gallery, < 1 percent

Studio 107, < 1 percent

Write-in: 4 Walls Fine Art

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July 16, 2008

Your A-List: Best Place to Picnic

Sure, it’s 100 degrees outside seemingly every day at this time of year. But, generally, Austin is a wonderful town in which to enjoy a meal outside. There may be dozens of places to head for an outside meal, but nothing beats Zilker Park, at least according to the Your A-List poll. With 36 percent of the vote, Austin’s most famous park is the winner of the Your A-List poll for Best Place to Picnic.

Austin’s signature park hosts a slew of events and activities that run the gamut, from friendly soccer games to gigantic concerts, but when its not overrun with folks, it’s great for a picnic, from the grilling out and eating at a picnic table variety to the bare-bones basket on a blanket in the grass endeavor.

From the City of Austin’s Web site:

In 1918, A.J. Zilker deeded the 35 acres surrounding Barton Springs to the City of Austin. In 1932, Zilker agreed to give the military school established during the First World War an additional 330 acres, joining the 35 acres on the north side of the original tract if the city would buy the acreage from the school for $200,000. This action was approved in a bond election and despite the economic depression of the 1930’s, the land was developed into Zilker Park.

Others receiving votes

Mount Bonnell, 17 percent

Capitol grounds, 8 percent

Barton Creek Greenbelt, 7 percent

Lake Austin, 6 percent

Auditorium Shores, 5 percent

Pease Park, 5 percent

Shores of Lady Bird Lake, 5 percent

Little Stacy Park, 2 percent

West Enfield Park, 2 percent

Waterloo Park, 2 percent

Brushy Creek Lake Park, 1 percent

French Legation, 1 percent

Republic Square, < 1 percent

Gillis Park, < 1 percent

Write-ins: Lake Travis, Mayfield Park, Westlake Beach

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July 9, 2008

Your A-List: Best Golf Course

Central Texas has been exploding with golf courses over the past two decades. Most of them, in this writer’s opinion, are overpriced and have a warped view of themselves. Ninety-six dollars to play a slightly-above-average course on the weekend? Give me a break.

Fortunately, there are still some courses in town where you can play and not be surrounded by pretense — or lose your shirt in the process. The standard bearer for reasonably priced golf in Austin is the winner of this week’s Your A-List poll for Best Local Golf Course, Lions Municipal.

I have played the course a dozen times or so, and while the fairways may not be up to the level of some of the area’s ritzier courses, and the rounds may take five hours or more, there is something wonderful and beautiful about the course located just west of Downtown Austin. While I definitely appreciate ‘old muni,’ I thought I’d turn this space over to my friend Casey Haverstick, who can do the course much better justice than I.

A 1992 graduate of Austin High School, and a 4 handicap (at least at Lions), Haverstick’s love of the 75-year-old course is unparalleled (at least among anyone his age) and the tournament he and his friends put on each spring is absolutely legendary. What follows are Casey’s thoughts and feelings about his “home” course:

I first played Lions in 1987, as a seventh-grader attending O. Henry Junior High. The pro shop was a converted trailer home with vending machines that popped out ice cream sandwiches and fountain Cokes. We’d play 36 holes for under $4. Over the years, I never strayed too far. Often, it felt like my classes at Austin High and then UT got in the way of my time at Lions. I guess it felt that way because they did. As I officially became an adult, my feelings for the course grew stronger. There were other courses in town, sure. Lions is family. And it made my being an adult feel less official, I suppose. Teeing off on No. 2, I’ve seen Lance Armstrong ride by on Lake Austin. I’ve seen Ben Crenshaw hit a draw down the first fairway. I’ve seen grown men get choked up after winning the Firecracker. I’ve seen a fox. I’ve waited an hour to tee off on No. 12 and enjoyed every minute of it. I’ve seen over 39 bets booked on the 18th tee. I’ve seen many holes-in-one, including my own on No. 7 and my dad’s on No. 13. I’ve heard at least 19 different old guys explain why the 16th is called Hogan’s Hole, no two stories the same. I’m not the only one who feels this way. There’s a reason more rounds are played at Lions than any other course in Central Texas. It’s walkable and affordable. The layout is short, but challenging — you won’t find harder greens to read. The staff is courteous and friendly. The list of champions is impressive, including a two-time Masters winner. And you’re basically playing in Downtown Austin. Which, sadly, could be the course’s undoing.

Others receiving votes

Avery Ranch Golf Club, 16 percent

Falconhead Golf Club, 7 percent

ShadowGlen Golf Club, 5 percent

Riverside Golf Course, 5 percent

The Golf Club at Star Ranch, 4 percent

Teravista Golf Club, 4 percent

Wolfdancer Golf Club, 4 percent

Forest Creek Golf Club, 3 percent

Jimmy Clay Golf Course,3 percent

Roy Kizer Golf Course, 3 percent

Grey Rock Golf Club, 3 percent

Morris Williams Golf Course, 3 percent

ColoVista Country Club, 2 percent

Lago Vista Golf Club, 2 percent

Blackhawk Golf Club, 2 percent

Bluebonnet Hill Golf Club, 1 percent

Plum Creek Golf Course, 1 percent

Delaware Springs Golf Course, < 1 percent

Pine Forest Golf Course, < 1 percent

Quail Creek Country Club, < 1 percent

White Wing Golf Club, < 1 percent

Yaupon Golf Course, < 1 percent

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Your A-List: Best Place for Dessert

Following dinner at one restaurant, many folks like to head to another locale for dessert. Some folks may choose to go out only for dessert, whether it be for a guilty pleasure after dining at home or for a simple getting-to-know-you slice of cake on a first date. Whatever the case may be, Mozart’s Coffee Roasters on Lake Austin has become a favorite of many Austinites looking to satisfy their sugar urges, and, with 25 percent of the vote, is the winner of the Your A-List poll for Best Place for Dessert.

The lovely little brick-walled building with warm wooden floors spills out onto a patio that sits on the lake and regularly boasts crowds late into the evenings, especially on nights with good weather. From the Mozart’s Raspberry Delight (an almond tort layered with raspberry preserves and covered in dark chocolate) to a host of cheescakes (nine in all) and the famous Chocolate Decadence Cake, the cafe on the lake has something for all tastes.

Mozart’s Coffee Roasters [site] 3826 Lake Austin Blvd. [map]
512.477.2900

Others receiving votes

La Dolce Vita, 16 percent

Driskill Grill, 10 percent

Teo, 8 percent

Hudson’s on the Bend, 7 percent

Jeffrey’s, 7 percent

Austin Java, 7 percent

Wink, 6 percent

Starlite, 5 percent

Pachugo, 4 percent

Quack’s, 3 percent

Aquarelle, 3 percent

Zoot, < 1 percent

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July 2, 2008

Your A-List: Best Place to Smooch

Driving out to “the point” or “the hill” or wherever to make out certainly seems anachronistic these days, what with teenagers making out in malls and sex pervading almost every piece of advertising. No longer is canoodling done in the dark, away from the prying eyes of parents or peers. But a drive up to Austin’s Mount Bonnell, with 34 percent of the vote, winner of the Your A-List poll for Best Place to Smooch, reveals that even in these more liberal and sex-saturated times, skipping off to a beautiful and (slightly) removed setting still holds appeal for lovers of all ages.

Located in West Austin, Bonnell offers an exquisite view of Lake Austin and homes with prices that put them out of my (and probably your) price range. And, when the beauty of the lake and its homes overwhelms (or bores) you, and you want to rest before enjoying the surrounding trails, turn to that special someone and get to kissin, ya exhibitionists.

Bonnell also seems like a pretty cool place to shoot a music video, as evidenced by this one of local talent Bill Callahan playing “Nothing Rises to Meet Me.”

No. 6 Bill Callahan - “Nothing Rises To Meet Me” from Retread Sessions on Vimeo.

Others receiving votes:

Eeyore’s Birthday, 12 percent

Town Lake, 11 percent

Barton Springs, 9 percent

Zilker Park, 7 percent

Botanical Gardens, 6 percent

UT football game, 6 percent

360 Bridge, 5 percent

Umlauf Sculpture Garden, 5 percent

Capitol grounds, 4 percent

Image from Larry Kolvoord/AMERICAN-STATESMAN

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June 25, 2008

Your A-List: Best Place to Dine Alone

Some people fear eating alone. Whether it bores them, they fear social stigma or what, I don’t know. But it’s obvious that when people do head out to dine alone, they prefer the crowded, easy-to-look-not-so-lonely confines of the generally busy Whole Foods, with 33 percent of the vote, winner of the Your A-List poll for Best Place to Dine Alone.

The homegrown heavyweight offers a plethora of relatively quick (and generally tasty) dining options for those eating alone. You can take a book over to the seafood or trattoria sections and eat at the bar, maybe chatting up the chefs and waitstaff (if conversation’s what you’re after). Or you can sit at a small two-top, the dimensions making your isolation seem less glaring. Or, maybe you want to do some people watching or catch the eye of a friend passing by, so you decide to grab something from the prepared foods case or salad bar and sit in the dining area up front or out on the open-air patio. The options, much like Whole Foods sausage selection, are almost limitless.

And, with the ability to grab food quickly and eat on the run at the centrally located store, you can always just tell that ex of yours who you run in to that you’re just grabbing a quick bite before heading to a bar, or a book reading or art exhibit, or whatever lie it is you tell to that person to make you seem busy and wanted.

Me? I’ll eat alone anywhere. But the sushi bar at Maru has been a favorite of late. I like Whole Foods, but there are just too many distractions that keep me from reading.

Others receiving votes

Austin Java, 11 percent

Magnolia Cafe, 9 percent

Kerbey Lane, 8 percent

Zen, 8 percent

Maudie’s, 6 percent

The Tavern, 6 percent

Home Slice, 6 percent

Jo’s, 4 percent

La Traviata, 2 percent

Enoteca, 2 percent

Blue Dahlia, 2 percent

Halcyon, 2 percent

Write-ins: Alvin’s Sandwiches, Sandy’s in Lakeway, Tamale House, Tino’s

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Your A-List: Best Swimming Hole

You’d be hard pressed to find a more popular and beloved attraction in Austin than Barton Springs Pool, with 42 percent of the vote, the winner of the Your A-List poll winner of the Best Swimming Hole.

I was talking to the wife of a touring musician a few weeks back, and the first thing she mentioned in her list of Austin loves? Not the live music scene, not the weather, not the friendly people or the access to the Hill Country or how “weird” the city is .. she went on and on about the greatness of Barton Springs. And who could argue?

In a town where 94 degree days linger into the fall like an unwanted couch crasher, “the springs” is a most welcome relief, its constant 68 degrees an icy salvation. Beyond being a place for sun worshipers, the springs also has a vibrant night scene, with free swimming after 8 p.m. And on nights when there is a full moon, the Austin of old makes its way down to the water’s edge, as people take part in ritual drum circles, dancing and general merrymaking. Sure, it may be a bit over the top for some, but it is part of what makes Austin great, just as the springs itself is.

And should there be any question of the love for and stewardship of this beloved natural landmark by the citizens of Austin (with a special nod here to the Save Our Springs Alliance), one needs look no further than the beautiful documentary “The Unforseen,” by local filmmaker Laura Dunn. How many other towns have swimming holes that have prompted award-winning documentaries? My guess, not many.

Others receiving votes

Hamilton Pool, 21 percent

Krause Springs, 9 percent

Deep Eddy Pool, 6 percent

Hippie Hollow, 6 percent

Blue Hole, Wimberley, 5 percent

Sculpture Falls, 4 percent

Enchanted Rock, 2 percent

Blue Hole, Georgetown, 2 percent

Campbell’s Hole, 2 percent

Stacy Pool, < 1 percent

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June 18, 2008

Your A-List: Best Pop Group/Singer

Their lead singer may have moved to the Great Northwest, but Austin still proudly claims Spoon as hometown heroes. With 51 percent of the vote, the homegrown products who have reached national fame received more votes than all of the other bands put together. That’s what we call a landslide, folks.

After selling close to 200,000 copies of the 2005 hit ‘Gimme Fiction,’ the pressure was on for Spoon to deliver with its latest album in 2007, and the boys delivered, with ‘GaGaGaGaGa,’ an album that’s odd title was confusing as it was intriguing, a Dadaist-sounding term, in lead singer Britt Daniel’s words. As with most of Spoon’s catalog, the tunes are crisp, stripped-down and rollicking, but unlike previous efforts, there are new sounds to be appreciated here, such as horns playing a predominant role, a touch that may at first have seemed out of place but soon after listening came to seem as if they fit in the band all along. In the words of Daniel, the album features three kinds of songs: “the emotional ones, the vaguely political ones and the colorful ones.”

‘GaGaGaGaGa’ saw Spoon, a band that seems to win awards every year in Austin for almost a decade, make a slight deviation from the norm without losing any of the band’s hallmark sound, and as evidenced by album sales, a jam-packed secret show at The Mohawk last year and appearances on national television shows, the band not only satiated old fans but found a way to expand its base with rock tunes that are catchy but not derivative.

For more lowdown on the making of ‘GaGaGaGaGa,’ check out Joe Gross’s profile of the album last year, with Daniel breaking down each of the songs. (Feature includes audio samples)

Photos of Spoon in action in Austin

Others receiving votes

Trish Murphy, 10 percent

Alpha Rev, 9 percent

Okkervil River, 8 percent

Kacy Crowley, 6 percent

Nelo, 5 percent

Dan Dyer, 3 percent

Moonlight Towers, 3 percent

Shearwater,3 percent

Black & White Years, 2 percent

Darin Murphy,1 percent

Rite High Flyers,1 percent

Write-ins: Mike Jackson of Hotcakes, Noah Kelly, Scott Leger of Wideawake, Bob Schneider, Scorpio Rising, The Bad Rackets, Voxtrot

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Your A-List: Best Fried Chicken

Although Texas isn’t officially “the South,” we do like our home cookin’. And nothing says down home comfort food like a nice plate of fried chicken.

The winner of the Your A-List poll for Best Friend Chicken goes to Top Notch, with 25 percent of the vote. The Burnett Road eatery with the recognizable vintage sign prides itself on its charcoal grilling, but as Statesman food critic Dale Rice can attest, the chicken is “crisp and non-oily as the onion rings, with juicy, tender, flavorful meat beneath that golden crust.”

What else could a Southerner (or Texan) ask for?

Top Notch
7525 Burnet Road [map]
452-2181

Others receiving votes

Hoover’s, 17 percent

Dot’s, 12 percent

Threadgill’s, 11 percent

Gene’s Poboys, 6 percent

Tony’s Southern Comfort, 5 percent

Hill’s, 4 percent

Arkie’s, 4 percent

Terry’s Seafood and Chicken, 3 percent

Nubian Queen Lola’s, 3 percent

Shoal Creek Saloon,3 percent

Broken Spoke, 3 percent

Evangeline Cafe, 2 percent

Ms. B’s, 2 percent

Iron Gate Lounge, <1 percent

Write-ins: Bush’s Chicken, Randalls, St. David’s Hospital cafeteria

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June 11, 2008

Your A-List: Best Local Film Series

To be a good film town, you need more than a strong university presence, some popular and successful local filmmakers and a great film festival (or six). You need a continual commitment to screening a wide variety of films outside of the major cineplexes. Austin’s got that in spades. The winner of the Your A-List poll for Best Local Film Series is the Paramount Summer Film Classics series, which, with 27 percent of the vote, just outpaced Movies in the Park.

Classic films such as ‘Casablanca,’ ‘Dr. Strangelove,’ All About Eve,’ deserved to be screened in a classic theater. The Paramount fits that bill, and on warm summer weeknight or weekend afternoon, as you head down the avenue and approach the venerable theater, you may get that sense of feeling transported back in time, to when movies cost 10 cents to get in and soda pops were a nickel. Sure, the seats may be uncomfortable and the legroom negligible, but there is no better venue to see the classics than at our city’s most classic theater.

Not only does the Paramount screen great movies during the summer, the programing also has a nice consistency to it, with most screenings pairing movies from the same genre (noir, westerns, slapstick comedies, etc.), making a double feature a tantalizing way to beat the summer heat. Tickets are $7 ($8 for the 70mm screenings), and big movie buffs can opt for a package of 10 tickets for $45, giving you a good summertime entertainment value. As an added bonus, $5 of that $45 goes to the Paramount’s Preservation Fund, so you can feel good knowing you’re helping preserve an Austin landmark. (Buy tickets here.)

Check out this summer’s roster of fabulous films here.

Others receiving votes:

Movies in the Park, 21 percent

Weird Wednesdays at Alamo, 13 percent

Belmont’s Movies and Margaritas, 10 percent

Music Mondays at Alamo, 7 percent

Terror Thursdays at Alamo, 6 percent

Austin Film Society’s Essential Cinema, 4 percent

Rounders Pizza Movie Night, 4 percent

AFS at the Dobie, 3 percent

Texas Doc Tour, 2 percent

Beat Film Series at Harry Ransom Center, 2 percent

Summer Movie Clubhouse, 1 percent

Austin Cinematheque, < 1 percent

Write-in: Austin Jewish Film Festival

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June 4, 2008

Your A-List: Best Local Author

(Statesman writer and noted beer enthusiast Patrick Beach, who happens to be moderating an event with author Chuck Palahniuk Thursday at UT, contributed to this post.)

While Austin is known as a music town, a burgeoning (where are those tax credits?) film town, and an outdoor lovers town, it is also obviously a city that loves books. It is almost de rigeur for a university town to be one that harbors a love of books, and Austin is no exception. With humor writers, famous historians and novelists dotting out intellectual landscape, there is no shortage of homegrown literary talent.

The winner of the Your A-List poll for best local author is novelist Ben Rehder, who, with 30 percent of the vote, beat out novelist and comedian Owen Egerton (29 percent) by a bookmark.

From Mr. Beach: “Edgar Award finalist Ben Rehder writes comic mysteries set in Blanco County and featuring a game warden, law enforcement types and wildly colorful miscreants. If Carl Hiaasen grew up in the Texas Hill Country, this is what he’d write like. His latest is “Holy Moly,” (St. Martin’s Press, $24.95), which begins with a televangelist’s attempts to build a megachurch along the Pedernales River and, predictably, devolves into mayhem and merriment.”

Others receiving votes

Owen Egerton, 29 percent

Jeff Abbott, 9 percent

Kinky Friedman, 9 percent

David Lindsey, 4 percent

David Oshinsky, 3 percent

Sarah Bird, 2 percent

Joe Nick Patoski, 2 percent

Tim O’Brien, 2 percent

Spike Gillespie, 2 percent

Turk Pipkin, 2 percent

Edwin “Bud” Shrake, 2 percent

Stephen Harrigan, 1 percent

Lawrence Wright, < 1 percent

Diane Fanning, < 1 percent

H.W. Brands, < 1 percent

Craig McCullough, < 1 percent

Steven Saylor, < 1 percent

Douglas Brinkley, < 1 percent

James D. Hornfischer, < 1 percent

Write-ins: Jim W. Apfelbaum, Owen Egerton, Allen Erwin, Gabrielle Faust, Elizabeth Moon, Tim O’Brien, Joe O’Connell, Benjamin Reed, Cynthia Leitich Smith, Papa Joe Summy

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Your A-List: Best Place to Go Tubing

As soon as the temperature in these parts creeps above 75 degrees, the sound of tubers flocking to the river can be heard throughout the town. What better way to beat the heat than my loading up a cooler full of beer and floating down a river surrounded by drunken strangers? Ah, summertime.

The winner of the Your A-List poll for Best Place to go Tubing is the Guadalupe River. With almost half of the vote (49 percent), the king of Texas tubing rivers lapped the field. Sorry, rivers Comal, San Marcos, Frio, etc., guess you will just have to deal with the fact that you will never have as much urine or beer cans in you as the good ol’ Guadalupe.

Others receiving votes

Comal River, 23 percent

San Marcos River, 13 percent

Frio River, 13 percent

Brazos River, 1 percent

Neches River, < 1 percent

Texas Paddling Trails, < 1 percent

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May 28, 2008

Your A-List: Best Doughnuts

While religion may be the opiate of the masses, it seems in the greater Austin area that Round Rock Donuts are the sugary narcotic of the masses. With 48 percent of the vote, the sweet baked bread products from the Lone Star Bakery won the Your A-List poll for Best Doughnuts.

IKEA may be the most recent attraction in Austin’s northern suburb of Round Rock, but the Round Rock doughnuts from the Lone Star Bakery are arguably the most notable of the city’s claims to fame. The yellow — or are they orange? — treats have 85 years of history and are revered in these parts with the type of fervor usually reserved for the breakfast taco.

What makes these doughnuts stand out from their pastry brethren? Maybe it’s the old oven in which they are cooked or their denser consistency. Maybe it is tradition or ritual. Whatever the case may be, people are boffo for them. And fortunately for those living outside of Round Rock, the doughnuts can be found at gas stations closer into town. Now they may not be as fresh as the ones that come straight from the oven at the original store. But sometimes we must make sacrifices for our vices.

Others receiving votes

Mrs. Johnson’s Bakery, 20 percent

Ken’s Doughnuts, 9 percent

Donut Palace, 6 percent

Kenny’s Coffee Co., 4 percent

KC Donut Store, 3 percent

Howdy Donuts, 3 percent

The Kolache Shoppe, 2 percent

River City Donut & Coffee House, 2 percent

River City Donuts, 2 percent

Lone Star Kolaches, 1 percent

Write-ins: The Donut Hole, Dunkin Donuts, Krispy Kreme, Shipley and the “friendly neighborhood corner coffee and Round Rock doughnut shop at Westminster and Briarcliff”

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Your A-List: Best Summer Camp

I remember as a kid seeing friends (and strangers) wearing their crisp white T-shirts with a cartoonish orange longhorn logo and the words ‘Camp Longhorn’ printed across the front and thinking, ‘Man, that place looks cool.’ Something about the retro-looking logo or color scheme just made it seem like a sweet place to spend your summer. Apparently it is, as, with 20 percent of the vote, it is the winner of the Your A-List poll for Best Summer Camp.

The co-ed camp (maybe that also was part of what made it seem cool, in contrast to my all-boys summer camp, Stewart) was founded by Tex and Pat Robertson. It sits about an hour northwest of Austin on Inks Lake, with summer activities ranging from archery to a host of water sports for kids 8-16.

Of course, considering the amenities and the camp’s clientele, you would probably assume that sending your kiddo to Camp Longhorn doesn’t come cheap. And you’d be right. Camp runs around $3,000 for three weeks. That’s a spicy meatball.

Honorable mention goes out to write-in candidate Vista Camps, which staged a nice campaign, coming up just a few percentage points shy of the venerable Longhorn.

Others receiving votes

Vista Camps (write-in), 16 percent

The Art School at Laguna Gloria, 15 percent

Austin YMCA Summer Day Camps, 11 percent

Camp Mystic, 6 percent

Mo-Ranch, 6 percent

Camp Champions, 5 percent

Paul Green School of Rock Music, 4 percent

T Bar M Camps, 4 percent

Austin Children’s Theatre Camp, 2 percent

Austin School of Film, 2 percent

Aquatic Sciences Adventure Camp, 1 percent

Heart O’ the Hills, 1 percent

Camp Arrowhead, 1 percent

Camp Stewart, 1 percent

First Tee of Greater Austin, 1 percent

Camp Bluebonnet, < 1 percent

Lonestar Premier Soccer Camp, < 1 percent

Outdoor Texas Camp, < 1 percent

Camp Texas Ski, < 1 percent

Camp Lonehollow, < 1 percent

Write-ins: Austin Nature Center summer camp, Austin School of Music’s Rock Camp, Boy Scout summer camp at Lost Pines, Camp Buckner, Camp Doublecreek, Champions Academy Gymnastics Camp, Cub Scout day camp, Echo Hill Ranch, GameCamp, MasterSchool, Natural Ear Music Rock Camp, Sports Country, Wet and Wild Adventure Camp

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May 21, 2008

Your A-List: Best Outdoor Music Venue

Ah, the good old days. The picture above comes via a Google-image search of the once-rural setting of the Backayrd, with 32 percent of the vote, winner of the Your A-List poll for Best Outdoor Music Venue.

How times change. Now, in place of trees and footpaths leading from the wooded parking lots to the tree-canopied venue, you will find all manner of national chain stores. Tired after a long night of grooving to Widespread Panic? Stop by the Mattress Firm and pick up a pillowtop on your way home. Some girl wearing the same top as you to a Shins concert? Well, head on over to Old Navy.

You get the picture. The great engines of change and commerce have steamrolled over the once-bucolic setting, a development that has led to the imminent closing of the venue, which Direct Events head Tim O’Connor says he plans to reopen somewhere else in Bee Caves, on a on 37 acres protected from infringing developments. Take that Bed, Bath and Beyond. But we come here to praise the Backyard, not to mourn it, or the tragic changes to the face of its neighborhood in the form of the monstrosity that is the Hill Country Galleria.

For over a decade, the 5,000-seat venue located near the intersection of Texas 71 and RM 620 has played host to world-class musicians, from David Bowie to Widespread Panic, Willie Nelson, Lyle Lovett and many, many more. Sure, the venue may have been a short drive out toward the country, but that was the beauty of it — a short drive toward the hills rewarded with a blissful night of music in one of the best settings in the state. As the 16th and final season at the Backyard stumbles toward the finish line (311 and Snoop Dogg, anyone?), we can only hope that the future venue will be half as cool as its predecessor, and judging by O’Connor’s statements, it seems we all have reason for hope.

Photos of the Backayrd through the years.

Statesman critic Michael Corcoran shares his favorite moment at the Backyard.

Others receiving votes

Stubb’s, 29 percent

Zilker Park, 10 percent

Auditorium Shores, 7 percent

Cedar Street Courtyard, 4 percent

The Mohawk, 3 percent

The Glenn at The Backyard, 3 percent

Emo’s, 2 percent

The Belmont, 2 percent

Scoot Inn, 2 percent

Club de Ville, 2 percent

Freddie’s Place, 1 percent

Austin City Hall, <1 percent

Creekside Lounge, <1 percent

Kenny Dorham’s Backyard, <1 percent

Light Bar, <1 percent

Write-in: Threadgill’s

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Your A-List: Best Ethnic Eatery*

Sure, Austin may be known as a barbecue, Tex-Mex and burger town, but we do have our share of ethnic food. The winner of the Your A-List poll for Best Ethnic Eatery (excluding Chinese, Italian, Mexican, Thai or Vietnamese), with 24 percent of the vote, is the popular Clay Pit.

The contemporary Indian restaurant, opened by a couple who moved here from Seattle to open the establishment with their cousins, is housed in one of the oldest commercial buildings in downtown Austin and offers an understated elegance. Despite the warm and somewhat luxurious setting, the vibe of the place is anything but pretentious, as the restaurant is usually packed during the evening with a boisterous and eclectic clientele.

Statesman food critic Dale Rice wrote the following about the restaurant in a prior review: “As part of its contemporary Indian cuisine, strong flavors come to the fore in items such as yogurt-marinated lamb and badami korma, beef cooked in a slightly sweetened curry sauce with a creamy base of puréed nuts.”

With friendly service, a nice variety of dishes for both vegetarians and meat lovers, and an energetic (if a bit loud) dining room, the Clay Pit is the perfect spot for those looking for quality contemporary Indian food, whether they be out on a date, dining casually, hosting visitors or celebrating with friends.

Clay Pit [site]
1601 Guadalupe St.
322.5131

Others receiving votes

Fogo de Chão, 17 percent

Habana, 9 percent

Doña Emilia’s, 9 percent

Sao Paulo’s, 8 percent

Phoenecia, 7 percent

Aster’s Ethiopian, 5 percent

Buenos Aires, 5 percent

El Greco, 4 percent

Sarah’s Mediterranean Grill, 3 percent

Sarovar, 3 percent

Jerusalem Cafe, 2 percent

Madras Pavillion, 2 percent

Swad, 2 percent

Write-ins: Casa Colombia, Kenobi, Marakesh, Tino’s

*That’s not Italian, Mexican, Chinese, Vietnamese or Thai

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May 14, 2008

Your A-List: Best Dance/Electronica Group

A note of disclosure: I am friends with this week’s winners.

In a town known for its roots and rock ‘n roll, Ghostland Observatory has forged a national reputation for its electronic dance/rock sound that has had bodies moving in Austin and beyond since 2004. The dynamic duo is the winner of the Your A-List poll for Best Dance Electronic Group, with an overwhleming 73 percent of the vote.

Since its first show in tiny Liberty Hill on July 4, 2004, the band has gone from club darlings to national festival sensations, backed by the beats of the caped Thomas Turner and fronted by the writhing and electric Aaron Behrens. With a super-sensory light show, the band wowed audiences at last year’s ACL Fest, graced the stages at festivals around the country and played to sold out crowds in England. In addition to a few club gigs, the band is currently preparing for a spate of summer festival shows to promote its new album, ‘Robotique Majestique,’ an album that was initially celebrated with a sold-out show at the Austin Music Hall in February.

Ghostland links:

Story: Ghostland earns band of the year

Story: Ghostland Observatory awes fans at ACL taping

Photos: Ghostland Observatory on stage | A-List photos from Emo’s, 6.20.07

Video: Interview with Ghostland from ACL 2006

Audio: Listen to Ghostland on Soundcheck360

Others receiving votes

D:Fuse, 7 percent

DJ Manny, 5 percent

Whatamelon, 3 percent

J.A.M.O.N., 3 percent

Charanga Cakewalk, 2 percent

Trey Lopez, 2 percent

Learning Secrets, 2 percent

Bird Peterson, 1 percent

John Gomi, 1 percent

Ohn, 1 percent

Zom Zoms, 1 percent

Write-in: Govinda

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Your A-List: Best Sports Bar

Slightly off the beaten path (at least for bars) but still close to downtown, Third Base has quickly gained a solid reputation as one of the best places in town to watch sports. With 51 percent of the vote, Third Base is the winner of the Your A-List poll for Best Sports Bar.

The location on West Sixth Street near MoPac Boulevard (Loop 1) makes the bar the perfect stop for downtown workers heading home, as well as a home-away-from home for those in the neighborhood who may prefer watching multiple games on more than two dozen flat-screen TVs.

The bar has gained a loyal following in its brief time on the scene, part of which may be because co-owners of the bar have also been principals in other Austin bars, including Firehouse and Molotov.

Older sports bars, with their faded pool tables and video games, seem like relics compared to modern sports bars, with their wood paneling and high-definition televisions. And with menu items such as the portabella burger, nobody will confuse Third Base with their father’s sports bar. The bar shows all sporting events, from the NBA League Pass to every college football game, as well as nonmajor sports such as boxing. Additionally, the bar also hosts poker tournaments and other events, a trend that seems ubiquitous in bars of Third Base’s ilk.

With nightly drink specials, a patio that features a host of large TVs and an expansive menu (of rather average food — it is, after all, still a sports bar), it is no surprise to learn that the bar is building on the success of the original location and will soon open a new bar in Round Rock.

Third Base [site]
1717 W. Sixth St.
476.BASE

Hours
11 a.m.-12 a.m., Sunday-Friday
11a.m.-1 a.m., Saturday

Others receiving votes

Pluckers, 21 percent

Bikini’s, 17 percent

The Tavern, 4 percent

Doc’s, 3 percent

Fado, 1 percent

Champions, less than 1 percent

Aussie’s, less than 1 percent

Legends, less than 1 percent

Mulligan’s, less than 1 percent

Write-ins: Buffalo Wings and Rings, Joe’s Bar, Lavaca Street Bar

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May 7, 2008

Your A-List: Best Waitstaff

Good service when dining is just as important as good food. It often is what separates good restaurants from great restaurants. The servers at Ruth’s Chris in downtown Austin top the list in Your A-List poll for Best Waitstaff, more than doubling the votes for the staffs at Vespaio and Guero’s, the second- and third-place finishers, respectively.

With a robust knowledge of cuts, preparation and presentation (warning, this plate is 10,000 degrees), the waitstaff is also sharp when it comes to the extensive wine menu and knows its customers. For instance, some customers can be treated a little more casually, while others demand to be treated with absolute deference and have their egos stroked. Knowing how to balance friendliness with class is a hallmark of the staff at, what I consider, the best steakhouse in town.

Ruth’s Chris [site]
Congress Avenue at Sixth Street
477.7884

Others receiving votes

Vespaio, 15 percent

Guero’s, 12 percent

Hyde Park Grill, 12 percent

Wink, 8 percent

Mother’s, 5 percent

El Borrego del Oro, 3 percent

Clay Pit, 3 percent

La Traviata, 3 percent

Musashino, 3 percent

Sazon, 3 percent

Salvation Pizza, 2 percent

Cibo, 1 percent

Write-ins: European Bistro, Habana, Habana Calle 6, Jeffrey’s, Mansion at Judges’ Hill, Rio Grande Tex-Mex, Roy’s, Sullivan’s, Trio, Vin Bistro

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Your A-List: Best Place to Skate

“All right, boys and girls, everyone on the floor, it’s all skate …”

The voice over the PA still rings in my ears from lo those many years ago when every birthday party seemed mandidated by law to take place at a skating rink.

When faced with the Your A-List poll choice of Best Place to Skate, the people spoke and the modern Veloway narrowly edged out Playland Skate Center, with the outdoor skating area taking the prize over the more old-school indoor rink by a nose - two votes to be precise.

From the Veloway Web site: “The Veloway is Southwest Austin’s first trail exclusively for bicycles and rollerblading. Located on more than 100 acres in the Slaughter Creek Metropolitan Park, the Veloway is a 3.1-mile paved asphalt loop 23 feet wide. It is totally free of motorized traffic. The trail is open from dawn to dusk.”

While some Austinites like to get their roll on under big Central Texas skies, others prefer the tried-and-true hardwoods of Playland Skate Center, Austin’s largest indoor skating rink. From the Playland site: “Playland offers the finest in skating entertainment with an impressive light show, fog machine and state of the art sound system playing a wide variety of music. Playland Skate Center has been in business for over 20 years offering children and adults a safe, fun, clean and entertaining roller skating experience.”

Now, everyone on the floor (trail), it’s all skate.

Others receiving votes

Whole Foods plaza during the holidays, 14 percent

Chapparal Ice, 12 percent

Skate Park of Austin, 9 percent

Skate World, 8 percent

Mabel Davis Park, 3 percent

Austin Recreation Center, 2 percent

Intellect Rollers Realm, 2 percent

Millenium Youth Entertainment Complex, 1 percent

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April 30, 2008

Your A-List: Best Place for Wings

The ubiquitous Pluckers is king of the wings in Austin and can add the title of Your A-List winner for Best Place for Wings to its bona fides.

I stopped by Pluckers on South Lamar Boulevard today and the place feels like a fraternity house with a kitchen, which is not necessarily a terrible thing if you like fried food, beer and dozens of flat-screen TVs that constantly air sports.

The restaurant serves a variety of food but has made a name for itself thanks to its wings (and the aforementioned sports bar feel) and the 14 sauces from which you can choose. The menu is a dizzying array of fried foods and seems a visual representation of sports talk radio: busy, cluttered, loud and littered with bad jokes. Pluckers does right by their regular diners, offering a Pluckers Club that, for only $20, offers regulars a 10% discount after amassing a certain number of points, along with free birthday meals, and other specials, including up-to-date SMS text messages. Have we really gotten to the point where we need text message alerts from our bar food establishments? I guess so.

Started more than a dozen years ago by a couple of former UT students, Pluckers, which won the Your A-List poll with an astounding 64 percent of the votes, has since spread across the greater Austin area and beyond, now boasting locations in Dallas and Baton Rouge, in addition to the five locations in and around Austin.

Others receiving votes

Player’s, 7 percent

Wings ‘N More, 5 percent

Gene’s New Orleans Style, 4 percent

The Tavern, 4 percent

Alamo Drafthouse, 2 percent

Waterloo Ice House, 2 percent

Hoover’s, 2 percent

Casino El Camino, 2 percent

Buffalo Wings & Rings, 2 percent

Wing Zone, 2 percent

Uncle Billy’s, 2 percent

Bone Daddy’s, 1 percent

Third Base, 1 percent

Write-ins: Billy’s on Burnet, Jackalope, Mangia, Wing Stop, Wings-n-Things, Woody’s Pizza and Wings

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Your A-List: Best Place to Write

When you want to write, you could stay locked up in your home, slaving away over your keyboard or Moleskine, you could head out to a coffee shop with all of the other latte-drinking artistes, or you could head outside for some fresh air and natural inspiration. As proof of the appeal of that last option, we offer up the winner of the Your A-List poll for Best Place to Write, Zilker Park.

Austin’s signature park, which won the contest with 24 percent of the vote, hosts a slew of events and activities that run the gamut, from friendly soccer games to gigantic concerts, in addition to its slew of cozy places to soak up some sun or relax in the shade while you write the next Great American Novel.

From the City of Austin’s Web site:

In 1918, A.J. Zilker deeded the 35 acres surrounding Barton Springs to the City of Austin. In 1932, Zilker agreed to give the military school established during the First World War an additional 330 acres, joining the 35 acres on the north side of the original tract if the city would buy the acreage from the school for $200,000. This action was approved in a bond election and despite the economic depression of the 1930’s, the land was developed into Zilker Park.

Others receiving votes

Mozart’s, 22 percent

Barton Springs, 20 percent

Spider House, 8 percent

Green Muse, 5 percent

Ruta Maya, 5 percent

LBJ Library, 5 percent

Cafe Mundi, 4 percent

Dominican Joe, 3 percent

Flipnotics, 2 percent

Quack’s, 1 percent

JP’s Java, < 1 percent

Rio Rita, < 1 percent

Write-ins: Four Points Starbucks, Genuine Joe’s, Mount Bonnell

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April 23, 2008

Your A-List: Best Local Rock Group/Singer

(A note of full disclosure: I am friends with this week’s winner.)

Seeing how you can’t throw an empty pizza box from your sofa without hitting a rock musician in Austin, it’s a nice achievement to be acknowledged by readers as the best rock band in town. Such is the case for The Mercers, winners, with 32 percent of the vote, of the Your A-List poll for Best Local Rock Band or Singer.

The Mercers took home the honor after beating out the biggest name of 90s rock in Austin, Bob Schneider, and arguably the biggest name in 21st century Austin rock, Ghostland Observatory.

Formed almost two and a half years ago, The Mercers actually had their first gig opening for Ghostland at Flamingo Cantina in December of 2005. Although the quartet has not received as much national attention as the electronic sex pop super duo, they have made some national waves, as they were named by Esquire magazine in 2006 as one of the top unsigned bands in the country. Why that distinction has stuck with the band to this day is anyone’s guess and is a sad testament to some of the derivative nonsense that is picked up by some labels and perpetuated by commercial radio.

Blending Euro-pop sounds of the 80s with a bit of Texas twang, The Mercers are led by the incredible voice of enigmatic frontman Peter Wagner, who emanates a delicate ferocity. Backed by the energy of brothers Bryan (bass) and Erik Ray (guitar, keyboards) and the amazingly solid Ethan Herr (drums), the band plays earnest, mature rock songs that envelop a dark romanticism.

Listen to The Mercers on SoundCheck360

Others receiving votes

Bob Schneider, 18 percent

Ghostland Observatory, 17 percent

Vallejo, 5 percent

Reckless Kelly, 5 percent

Okkervil River, 5 percent

What Made Milwaukee Famous, 3 percent

Alejandro Escovedo, 3 percent

Octopus Project, 3 percent

Patrice Pike, 3 percent

Black Angels, 2 percent

Broken Teeth, 1 percent

White Denim, < 1 percent

Zykos, < 1 percent

The Strange Boys, < 1 percent

Shearwater, < 1 percent

Tammany Hall Machine, < 1 percent

Boxing Lesson, < 1 percent

Gulf of Mexico, < 1 percent

Write-ins: Alpha Rev, Roky Erikson, Gadget White Band, The Gourds, Riverboat Gamblers, SuperCrash, Sybil, Joe Vega

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Your A-List: Best Quick-Service Restaurant

Having a nice sit-down meal is nice, but sometimes you’re in a rush, and you’ve gotta eat quickly, or at least get your food fast. That’s where the quick service restaurant comes into play. Among the slew of choices in Austin, you picked Freebirds, winner of the Your A-List poll for Best Quick Service restaurant with 16 percent of the vote, as your favorite.

The small chain, with restaurants in seven Texas cities and one in Oklahoma (psh posh), opened its Texas operation in 1990 in College Station, but Austinites have not held the ignominious distinction against the restaurant, as proven by the massive lunch and dinner lines at the restaurants here in Austin. With burritos ranging from the almost snack-size to the seriously oversized, Freebirds can accommodate any appetite, and with the recent addition of their steak and chicken salads, are attempting to prove that one can dine on Tex-Mex while still watching their caloric intake.

Beyond the food, Freebirds, which narrowly beat out laid-back Austin landmark Thundercloud in the polling, has built a local reputation for strong customer service, as each customer who reaches the burrito-making assembly line is greeted and told they will be served shortly. A cynic may call it a contrived corporate mandate, but I have heard from many people that said simple recognition helps get their experience off on the right food. So take that, cynics.

Others receiving votes

Thundercloud, 14 percent

P. Terry’s, 9 percent

Torchy’s Tacos, 9 percent

Taco Deli, 8 percent

Zen, 8 percent

Schlotzsky’s, 7 percent

Texadelphia, 7 percent

Sandy’s, 4 percent

El Chilito, 3 percent

Chango’s, 3 percent

Dog Almighty, 3 percent

Tamale House, 3 percent

Hog Island, 3 percent

Baby Greens, 2 percent

Longhorn Po-boys, < 1 percent

Write-ins: Chipotle, Dan’s, El Regio, Fran’s, Jason’s Deli, Pita Pit

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April 16, 2008

Your A-List: Best Place to Impress a Date

You’re heading out on a date, and you really want to impress the target of your affection. You want to impress them with how cultured you are, how enjoyable time with you can be, how there’s nothing in the world they’d rather be doing than spending some quality time with you. To pull this feat off, you could take them to an art opening, or maybe a hot air balloon ride, or a picnic in the Hill Country. But let’s face it, you usually just end up going out to a nice restaurant. And that’s fine, too.

When sorting through the impression-making dining options in town, you want to make sure everything’s right. Good lighting, good food, good atmosphere. You want to show you’ve got good taste and that potential future dates with you will be equally charming (and, maybe, expensive). In Austin, you’ve got a number of good choices, from the casual to the 5-star varieties. The winner of the Your A-List poll for Best Place to Impress a Date, with 19 percent, is Uchi.

The South Lamar Boulevard temple of sushi won the honor after beating out the delicious game-loving restaurant Hudson’s on the Bend, the hip Hotel San Jose and the historic Driskill Grill. The precious yet modern Austin bungalow restaurant, designed by architects Michael Hsu and Joel Mozersky, came to life in 2003 and, at the time, was a welcome two-star addition to the growing sushi scene. In the past five years, Cole’s creation has become a paragon of creativity and quality in the Austin restaurant scene, drawing rave reviews from critics and diners alike.

The jewel on South Lamar prides itself not only on the freshest of ingredients but also on top notch service, a forward-thinking approach to flavor components and decadent presentation. Needlefish displayed as a sort of flying dragon complemented with a citrus vinaigrette presented in an oyster shell on a bed of salt in a wooden bowl is just one example of the fanciful culinary delights you may find at Uchi. In addition to classic fish preparation and flavors, Cole and his crackerjack staff, who have a say in initial menu suggestions, also like to throw in a taste of the local, as evidenced in Uchi’s madai sashimi of black snapper with ruby red grapefruit.

With its commitment to flavor, presentation and service, Uchi is certain to knock the socks off your date. Let’s just hope he/she doesn’t think you’re trying too hard.

Uchi [site]
801 S. Lamar Blvd. [map]
916.4808

For more reviews and information about Uchi, check a few of American-Statesman food critic Dale Rice’s pieces (from which some of the information in this post was culled) on Uchi.

05.24.07: Cole’s Uchi remains as creative as ever

08.24.06: Exquisite flavor, artistry make 5 stars align

05.30.05: Uchi chef is cream of crop

10.23.03: Uchi: Where flavorful, imaginative sushi is on a roll

Others receiving votes

Hudson’s on the Bend, 13 percent

Hotel San Jose, 11 percent

Driskill Grill, 10 percent

Jeffrey’s, 7 percent

Vespaio, 7 percent

Truluck’s, 7 percent

One World Theatre, 6 percent

Wink, 3 percent

Long Center, 3percent

Zoot, 3 percent

Aquarelle, 3 percent

Vino Vino, 2 percent

B Scene at the Blanton, 2 percent

Cafe Josie, 2 percent

Cru, 1 percent

Write-in: Paggi House

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Your A-List: Best Local Recording Studio

It seems music runs deep in Willie Nelson’s family. The Redheaded Stranger’s nephew, Freddy Fletcher, and Fletcher’s wife, Lisa, own Pedernales Studio, winner of the Your A-List poll for Best Local Recording Studio.

A touring drummer for the likes of Marcia Ball and Billy Joe Shaver, when Fletcher decided to retire from the road, he didn’t leave music altogether. Instead, he decided to go to the other side of the studio glass at Pedernales, a studio that Willie bought/built in 1973, one that came with a nine-hole golf course and an Olympic-size pool, amenities that made it a favorite studio in the region for some big name recording artists, including Willie himself, who recorded the album “The Outlaws” there, the first country album to be certified platinum.

In 1989, the IRS started scooping up Nelson’s assets to pay off the debt he owed to the government. But Nelson said he’d get it back, and sure enough, the studio reopened in 1992 after Fletcher, who already owned Arlyn Studios, bought the studio and brought it back to the family. Since re-opening for business, Pedernales has been the recording home to artists such as Los Lonely Boys, who quickly became part of the extended Nelson-Fletcher family.

(Michael Corcoran’s excellent 2004 XL story on Pedernales served as the source for much of the information in this post. Read it here.)

Others receiving votes

Congress House, 18 percent

Sweatbox, 15 percent

Cedar Creek, 10 percent

Top Hat, 8 percent

Xylo (write-in), 8 percent

Bismeaux, 6 percent

The Bubble, 5 percent

Music Lane, 3 percent

Flash Point, 2 percent

Premium, 2 percent

Cacophany, < 1 percent

Write-ins: Addison Studio, The Finishing Studio, Murray Music, Ohm, Wire Recording

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April 9, 2008

Your A-List: Best Restaurant that Delivers

Austin has a spate of restaurants from which to choose when you’re looking to dine out. But let’s face it, sometimes you don’t want to be around people, and sometimes you probably really don’t need to be around people. That’s when it’s time to pick up the phone and order some delivery. When hungry Austinites dial out for food, according to the readers, one place stands out from the flock. With a whopping 50 percent of the vote, Pluckers is the winner of the Your A-List poll for Best Restaurant that Delivers.

Started more than a dozen years ago by a couple of plucky (sorry, I had to) former UT students, Pluckers has since spread its wings (yep) and taken flight across the greater Austin area and beyond, now boasting stores in Dallas and Baton Rouge, in addition to the five locations in and around Austin.

With an advertising line like, “If you don’t like our wings, we’ll give you the bird,” it is obvious that the restaurant that got its start near the heart of the 40 Acres is pretty damn proud of its wings (and copywriters’ wit). But the crispy, crunchy wings and their savory sauces are just the tip of the icebird (sorry, ran out of puns). Pluckers also boasts fried pickles (which are scarily popular) as well as better-than-your-average-bar grub such as buffalo shrimp, magic mushrooms (not those kind), homemade potato chips smothered in bleu cheese and waffle fries covered in … wait for it … cheese! It may not be health food, but it’s pretty damn good for a tasty treat to sop up some of that beer you might be sipping/slugging at home while you’re watching the game, or “Project Runway,” or whatever it is you’re too busy doing to go out and eat at a restaurant.

Pluckers [site]
Multiple locations

Others receiving votes

East Side Pies, 11 percent

Rockin’ Tomato, 9 percent

Hil-Bert’s, 8 percent

Hao-Hao, 6 percent

Southside Flying Pies, 5 percent

Rounders, 5 percent

Pao’s, 3 percent

Bamboo Garden, 2 percent

Super China, 2 percent

Write-in votes: Cafe 1626, Craig O’s, First Wok, Hog Island Deli, Rockets, The Soup Peddler, Texican Café South

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April 2, 2008

Your A-List: Best Day Trip

We live in the greatest city in the country. Obviously you all agree or you wouldn’t be here, right? Right. But sometimes swimming at Barton Springs, walking the hike-and-bike trail, eating 4-star cuisine, playing disc golf, watching movies at the Drafthouse, going to museums and browsing bookstores for hours just gets a little monotonous, and we need a break. As hard as that sounds. That’s when it’s time to pack a backpack’s worth of clothes, fill the car up and head on a day trip. And when the urge hits you, you’d be hard pressed to find a better to place to visit than the winner, with 28 percent of the vote, of the Your A-List poll for Best Day trip, Fredericksburg, TX.

The county seat of Gillespie County, Fredericksburg is located about 70 miles west of Austin off of U.S. 290. According to Wikipedia, the town of just over 10,000 folks was founded in 1846 by Baron Otfried Hans von Meusebach, new Commissioner General of the “Society for the Protection of German Immigrants in Texas.” And that German influence is reflected today in the town’s architecture and gastronomical fare.

The town may be best known as one of the most popular bed and breakfast destinations in the region, with a reported 300 of the establishments in the greater Fredericksburg area. When not relaxing at the B&Bs, visitors to the German settlement enjoy walking the quaint streets, taking in the aesthetic charms of the town and participating in the beloved Central Texas sport of antiquing. Your mom knows what I’m talking about.

So the next time you get the urge to escape the rat race of Austin (exaggeration intended), pack up the significant other, or the kids, or just go alone. Head out to a little piece of Bavaria located deep in the heart of Texas.

Others receiving votes

Enchanted Rock, 14 percent

Hamilton Pool, 14 percent

New Braunfels, 11 percent

Pedernales Falls, 8 percent

Krause Springs, 7 percent

Lake LBJ, 4 percent

Wimberley, 4 percent

Lockhart, 3 percent

Dripping Springs, 3 percent

Shiner, 2 percent

Blanco, 2 percent

Brenham, 1 percent

Elgin, < 1 percent

Write-in votes: Bastrop and Buescher state parks, Gruene, Murphy’s Steakhouse in Winchester

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Your A-List: Best Place to Hear Local Bands

Sure, the Live Music Capital of the World features some amazing national and regional bands, but what major American city doesn’t? We’re not the live music capital because we have the most concerts listed on Pollstar or Ticketmaster, we’re the live music capital because of the local music. Because any night of the week you can head out to dozens of bars and catch bands you have seen for years, or maybe see some friends play, or accidentally catch someone you’ve never heard of and make a musical discovery. That, among hundreds of other things, is what makes Austin great. Among the best places to see the local bands of which I speak is the old South Austin stalwart, winner of the Your A-List poll for Best Place to Hear Local Bands play, the Saxon Pub.

The winner with 29 percent of the vote, the Saxon Pub adds this honor to its previous honors of best happy hour and best place to hear music on a weekday. And it’s that live, usually local, music that makes the old Austin haunt such a draw for Austinites. In a time where condos and ultra-clubs, or whatever those new swanky places are called, seem to be the flavor of the day, the dark, saloon-style Saxon Pub hearkens back to an earlier time when Austin still had a true renegade spirit and those on the frontlines had guitars slung over their shoulders.

The regulars are friendly, even if they don’t know you, and there’s really no such thing as a stranger at the Saxon. And with multiple bands playing seven days a week, you never have to worry about checking the calendar to see who’s playing. Every night you’re guaranteed to see some of the best singing and songwriting talents Austin has to offer, whether its a surprise jam of venerable local legends or a legend in the making.

The Saxon Pub [site]
1320 S. Lamar [map]
448.2552

Others receiving votes

Antone’s, 19 percent

Continental Club, 13 percent

The Mohawk, 11 percent

Emo’s, 7 percent

The Parish, 6 percent

Hole in the Wall, 4 percent

Momo’s, 3 percent

Red Eyed Fly, 3 percent

Beerland, 1 percent

Elephant Room, 1 percent

Ego’s, < 1 percent

Headhunters, < 1 percent

Room 710, < 1 percent

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March 26, 2008

Your A-List: Best Toy Store

With 44 percent of the vote, the winner of the Your A-List poll for Best Toy Store is Kid Genius. With locations on Bee Cave Road and South Congress Avenue, the stores have anything a kid or kid at heart would want to keep himself or herself occupied for hour after pleasurable hour.

Kid Genius, owned by Jill Scott, originally opened in 1996 at the Bee Cave location and expanded to the 1700 block of South Congress in 2004. The Congress store moved up the block in July of last year to its current location at 1400 S. Congress Ave., in between By George and Mars Restaurant. In addition to its two locations, KidGenius.com, which got up and running two years ago, functions as the online arm of the business and is the fastest growing area of the company’s business.

I asked Richard Scott, Jill’s husband and the official “Stock Boy” for the business, about what led them to the toy business.

“We have always been involved with retail and have owned over 13 retail stores over the last 20 years,” Scott said. “KidGenius is definitely the most enjoyable type of store we have owned. It’s just a very fun environment. Parents love to pick out toys for their kids and we encourage the kids to play while they are in the store. We also have 3 kids ages 14, 12 and 8 and they have been more than happy to test our new lines.”

Check out the video link below (or click here) to see shots of the South Congress store and some footage of me enjoying one of the store’s top-selling items.

The Adobe Flash Player is required to view the Media Player. Get it here.

Others receiving votes

Toy Joy, 29 percent

Terra Toys, 17 percent

Great Hall Games, 3 percent

Whole Earth Provision Company, 3 percent

Monkey See Monkey Do, 2 percent

Atomic City, 2 percent

BookPeople, < 1 percent

Anna’s Toy Depot, < 1 percent

Kerbey Lane Doll Shoppe, < 1 percent

Write-ins: Over the Rainbow, Kaleidoscope Toys in Round Rock, Hog Wild, Wonko’s Toys and Games

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Your A-List: Best Guilty Pleasure

What happens if you throw a write-in contest for guiltiest pleasure and nobody responds? Does it mean nobody has a guilty pleasure? Or is it that people are equally ashamed as they are guilty and chose not to out themselves? Or maybe, nobody feels guilt about those things in which they take pleasure. The possibilities are endless.

Whatever the reasoning, such was the case with the Your A-List poll for Best Guilty Pleasure. Regardless of whether you want to admit it or not, just keep on doing what you’re doing, Austin. We won’t judge. We won’t even snicker.

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March 19, 2008

Your A-List: Best Local Blogger

It seems everyone and her cat has a blog these days. And while that is all good and well, trying to make your voice heard among the din of Internet chatter has become increasingly more difficult. Even if you’re a good writer, the chances of people reading you when there are myriad options online are not high. You need a unique voice. You need visibilty. You need purpose. You need a wide net of built-in readers (aka friends). You need to temper your vitriol with empathy, your humor with seriousness, your belief that people need to read whatever the hell it is you have to say with humility. Austinist’s TrueCraig (aka Craig McCullough) has all of this, hence his victory, with 43 percent of the vote in the Your A-List poll for Best Local Blogger.

A note of full disclosure: I used to be the co-editor of Austinist, and Craig is a freind of mine, so my opinions may be slightly biased. A note of even more disclosure: I never really edited Craig. Neither did my co-editor, Austinist head honcho Allen Y. Chen. One, it took a lot of commitment to carve out time from our regular jobs to read and edit 6,000 words about a night of debauchery or TC’s unruly neighbors. Furthermore, why would you ever want to edit or limit the brilliance that is Craig McCullough? Furtherfurthermore, Craig has a tendency to make up words (deliciously brilliant words), so the fact of the matter is, vis-a-vis editing, I may not even have known where to start.

Craig’s columns, posted under the title ‘Truesday’ (some of which may not be safe for work, depending on your office), have become one of the most read, recommended and discussed features in the three years of Austinist’s existence, and his love (and disdain for) the local music and arts scene, city government, self-destruction, and general cultural anthropological ramblings have left the interdigitubes, as Craig likes to call them, in these here parts a better place. Regardless of the title of Craig’s wonderful book of essays, ‘I Am an Idiot (But there is Nothing Wrong with You),’ the dude is no fool. Five it out, bro-ham.

Update: I had not checked the backlog of write-in votes, but have since added them. I apologize for the error. A nod of the cap to Rachel Farris of MeanRachel.com, who received enough write-in votes to finish 4th in the voting. Congrats.

Others receiving votes

Austin Tidbits, 29 percent

Michael Barnes’ Out & About, 11 percent

Rachel Farris of MeanRachel.com (Write-in), 4 percent

Harry Knowles’ Ain’t It Cool News, 3 percent

Austinist’s Allen Y. Chen, 3 percent

Matthew Odam’s The M.O., 3 percent

Diane Holloway’s TV blog, 2 percent

Austin Chronicle’s Earache, 2 percent

Showlist Austin, 2 percent

Kirk Bohls’ Bohl Games, < 1 percent

Matt Dentler’s indieWIRE blog, < 1 percent

Done Waiting, < 1 percent

Kat Candler’s blog, < 1 percent

Bryan Poyser’s Austin Film Society blog, < 1 percent

Write-Ins: Dancin’ Down Congress Avenue, Eugene Sepulveda’s Community Matters, Scott Henson of Grits for Breakfast, John Gross of Party Ends, Translucence, Random Neural Misfirings, Catchy Name, Eileen of In the Pink Texas, Pink Dome, Burnt Orange Report

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March 13, 2008

Your A-List: Best Locally Owned Business

Austin prides itself on keeping it local. Maybe you’ve heard of that whole Keep Austin Weird movement? Well seemingly at the forefront of that movement for years has been the eclectic home of 14 percent butter fat ice cream, Amy’s, with 28 percent of the vote, winner of the Your A-List poll for Best Locally Owned Business.

Amy’s started out as a partnership between Amy Miller (now Simmons) and her partner Scott Shaw, who launched the original shop on Guadalupe Street on the backs of some creative vision and a hot check. More than 20 years later, with Shaw having moved on to pursue other interests, Amy’s is dominating the Austin ice cream scene with 10 stores, and a few more in Houston and San Antonio.

What makes Amy’s so awesome? Well, beyond the 14 percent butterfat, it’s probably the creative spirit and joy of ice cream that is so pervasive in each of the Amy’s location. The stores have a unique history of asking applicants to express their creativity on paper bags when applying for jobs.

Simmons wants her employees to be as creative as the business itself, which has made a name for itself thanks in part to its community involvement, kitschy decor and, not the least, the trademark photo booths. The old-timey black-and-white photo booths in the stores allow friends, couples and families to save their memories on celluloid, ice creamy smiles and all.

Others receiving votes

Waterloo, 14 percent

Daily Juice, 11 percent

Therapy, 9 percent

Homeslice, 9 percent

Hoover’s, 7 percent

Aviary, 5 percent

Birds Barbershop, 3 percent

Spiderhouse, 3 percent

Service Menswear, 3 percent

Ruta Maya, 2 percent

I Love Video, 2 percent

Flipnotics, 2 percent

Gene’s Po-boys, 1 percent

Creatures, < 1 percent

Write-in votes: Avant, Bombs Away, Chez Nous, Chez Zee, Craigo’s, Freytag’s Florist, Guero’s, Hotel San Jose, Hudson’s on the Bend, Jovita’s, Las Manitas, Magnolia Cafe, Maudie’s, Moonshine, Polvo’s, Schlotzsky’s, Taco Xpress, Top Notch, Vulcan Video

Permalink | | Categories: Your A-List

March 9, 2008

Your A-List: Best Statesman Columnist

The Austin-American Statesman has a stable of fine columnists, and I don’t just say that because we all have the same boss. Or because said columnists surround me in the newsroom and are within paper-weight throwing distance. Whether you’re interested in sports, style, food, music or personality, the Statesman has you covered. And if you’ve ever been out at a bar, or a party or an art opening, or a play, or a … ok, you get the point. If you’ve been out and about, chances are you’ve seen Statesman social columnist Michael Barners, with 38 percent of the vote, winner of the Your A-List poll for Best Statesman Columnist, covering his beat for his Out & About column and blog.

The editor-writer-man about town is a ubiquitous fixture on the social scene and knows pretty much everybody in our big little city. When he’s not tracking down national celebrities, he’s clinking glasses with the Fortunate 500. Or maybe he’s at a Longhorn game, or a dive bar. You never know where you will see our tireless reporter as he inspects every nook and cranny of the rapidly developing social scene of Austin. Where, oh where, do you find the energy, Michael?

Others receiving votes:

John Kelso, 31 percent

Melanie Spencer, 8 percent

Kirk Bohls, 6 percent

Kitty Crider, 4 percent

Dale Rice, 4 percent

Cedric Golden, 2 percent

Diane Holloway, 2 percent

Ben Wear, 2 percent

Andrea Ball, 1 percent

Eileen Flynn, 1 percent

Chris Garcia, 1 percent

Marques Harper, 1 percent

Rich Oppel, 1 percent

W. Gardner Selby, < 1 percent

Write-in vote: Mike Leggett

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March 5, 2008

Your A-List: Favorite Neighborhood Grocery

Sure there are plenty of fine grocery store chains around town, but Austnites have a place in their hearts for that which is local and, well, neighborhoody. With 38 percent of the vote, Wheatsville Co-Op has risen to the top of the food ladder to win the Your A-List poll for Best Neighborhood Grocery

The community-focused full-service grocery, located on Guadalupe Street, has the rare distinction of being a store owned by its member-partners, who receive discounted shopping at the natural foods haven. All owners pay a one-time, nonrefundable fee with an option to become an investing owner.

The co-op began almost 32 years ago in March 1976, and what started in the basement of a house on 29th Street and Lamar Boulevard lo those many years ago has become the most successful food co-op in Texas, with more than 8,000 members and close to $7 million in annual revenue, according to the co-op’s Web site. Beyond the spirit of cooperation and community involvement, which includes support of organizations such as Save Our Springs Alliance, Sunshine Community Gardens and The Inside Books Project, Wheatsville offers a cornucopia of vegetarian delights (hello, popcorn tofu po’boy and tempeh chili frito pie), a comprehensive bulk section, hormone-free meat for us meat-eaters and a tasty assortment of vegan baked goods. And judging by the slew of the shoppers who come on foot and by bike, it is obvious that many of those who are enjoying the grocery’s bounty come from the neighborhood.

Others receiving votes

Fresh Plus, 21 percent

Mandola’s, 11 percent

Farm to Market, 8 percent

Avenue B Grocery, 6 percent

Cissi’s, 4 percent

Asia Market, 3 percent

Royal Blue, 3 percent

Monarch Mart, 2 percent

Sarah’s Mediterranean, 2 percent

Bluebonnet Food Mart, 2 percent

RBM Food Mart, 2 percent

David’s, 1 percent

Speedway Grocery, < 1 percent

Write-in votes: Crestview IGA, Phonecia, Sun Harvest, Thom’s Market

Image of Wheatsville by Tania Savayan/AMERICAN-STATESMAN

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Your A-List: Best Place to Buy Comics

Austin is a city of the arts. Not just music. Or movies. But all the arts. And that includes comics, and graphic novels, as well, for those keeping track. When it comes time to purchase your comic books, it seems Capstone Comics is at the top of your list, as it is the winner of the Your A-List poll, with 63 percent of the vote, for Best Place to Buy Comics.

Whether you’re looking for Marvel, DC, Image, they’ve got it all. And not just the new stuff. Capstone, located on Parmer Lane, has a nice collection of Silver Age comics, in addition to more recent stuff such as bobbleheads, posters and apparel.

So when you’re ready to get in touch with your inner Comic Book Guy or Captain America, head on over to Capstone Comics, or check them out online.

Capstone Comics
2121 W. Parmer Lane, Suite 107
339-4251

Others receiving votes
Austin Books & Comics, 14 percent

Half-Price Books, 7 percent

Dragon’s Lair, 10 percent

Funny Papers, 2 percent

Comics and More, 2 percent

Bee Cave Comics and Games, 2 percent

Write-in vote: First Federal

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February 27, 2008

Your A-List: Place to Spend a Lazy Sunday

When looking for a place to kick back and relax on a lazy Sunday, you have ample choices in this town, from coffee shops to parks and pools. But of all the peaceful ways to spend your weekend down time, it appears you prefer the 351-acre natural retreat that is Zilker Park, winner of the Your A-List poll with 38 percent of the vote.

Austin’s signature park hosts a slew of events and activities that run the gamut, from friendly soccer games to gigantic concerts.

From the City of Austin’s Web site:

In 1918, A.J. Zilker deeded the 35 acres surrounding Barton Springs to the City of Austin. In 1932, Zilker agreed to give the military school established during the First World War an additional 330 acres, joining the 35 acres on the north side of the original tract if the city would buy the acreage from the school for $200,000. This action was approved in a bond election and despite the economic depression of the 1930’s, the land was developed into Zilker Park.

Others receiving votes

Barton Springs, 27 percent

Alamo Drafthouse, 11 percent

Hippie Hollow, 5 percent

Mozart’s, 5 percent

Pease Park, 3 percent

Half-Price Books, 3 percent

BookPeople, 2 percent

Deep Eddy, 2 percent

Jo’s, 2 percent

Spiderhouse, 2 percent

Ruta Maya, < 1 percent

Flipnotics, < 1 percent

Clementine, < 1 percent

Write-ins: Pace Bend Park, sailing on Lake Travis and Shady Grove.

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Your A-List: Best Recreation Center

Austin is home to some two dozen recreation centers. Don’t believe me? Check out the searchable database here.

In a very evenly contested battle for the title of Best Recreation Center, however, there can only be one winner. Make that two. With 15 percent of the vote, the South Austin and Northwest recreation centers ended up tied for the title in the Your A-List poll.

Located at 1100 Cumberland Road, the South Austin Recreation Center has been around for longer than most South Austinites. Built in 1974, the center sits on 10 acres of land in South Austin and offers an indoor gym, stage, club room, kitchen and an outdoor basketball court, two tennis courts, picnic area, playscape and ballfields.

Heading up north toward Mopac and RM 2222 you’ll find the Northwest Recreation Center at 2913 Northland Drive. The center, which is slightly newer than the South Austin center, but certainly no spring chicken, was built in 1979 and offers a gymnasium, multi-purpose room, arts and crafts room, kitchen and weight room. Check out the center’s brochure here.

Others receiving votes

Clay Madsen, 12 percent

Austin, 11 percent

Hancock, 10 percent

Dittmar, 9 percent

A.B. Cantu/Pan American, 5 percent

Alamo, 3 percent

Dottie Jordan, 3 percent

Landa Recreation Center (New Braunfels), 3 percent

Parque Zaragoza, 3 percent

Rosewood, 3 percent

Dove Springs, 3 percent

Camacho, 1 percent

Givens, < 1 percent

Lockhart Community, < 1 percent

Write-in: Austin Nature and Science Center at Zilker Park.

Photo of South Austin Recreation Center by Kelly West AMERICAN-STATESMAN

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February 20, 2008

Your A-List: Best Neighborhood Hangout

With its high-tech boom of the late 1990s and condo craze of the 21st century, Austin may not be the same city portrayed in Richard Linklater’s 1991 movie “Slacker,” but that doesn’t mean folks here still don’t like to just hang out. A lot. In one of the most closely contested polls of the past six months, the Mean Eyed Cat has prevailed as the winner of the Your A-List poll for Best Neighborhood Hangout.

With 12 percent of the vote, the Mean Eyed Cat narrowly edged out a slew of others, including Pluckers, Spiderhouse, and Crown and Anchor. Even the write-ins made some noise in this category, with eastside lounging spot Rio Rita placing in the top 10 thanks to a write-in campaign.

The rustic shack situated on West Fifth Street was the dream of Chris Marsh, a seasoned veteran of the Austin restaurant scene, having worked at Maudie’s for a decade. As any Johnny Cash devotee worth his or her salt could tell you, the bar’s name is a reference to one of the Man in Black’s early Sun Records recordings. Marsh was introduced to the rebel musings of the American legend by his beloved father, and the bar is not just a shrine to Cash but a tribute to the man who initiated Nash into the life and music of the outlaw artist.

With a backyard built for hanging out on hot summer days and starry evenings with a cold (and relatively cheap) bottle (or can) of beer, a cozy inside bar with an excellent jukebox — which features not just music by Cash — and live music almost every night of the week, the Mean Eyed Cat may have been born in 2004, but it has a soul that dates back to the 50s.

Even amid all the development occurring downtown and just west of downtown, the Mean Eyed Cat has found a way to survive. Last year, Dallas-based Direct Development announced they would be building condos on the adjacent lot, but instead of running the Cat off the porch, the plan has been to allow the Mean Eyed Cat to stay where it is, a built-in drinking hole for residents, it seems. Looks like those hanging out at the Cat just got a little more company. And that’s probably just fine by the friendly Marsh, who is known for being a welcoming host to all comers.

Mean Eyed Cat [site]
1621 W. Fifth St.
472.6326

Others receiving votes

Pluckers, 10 percent

Spiderhouse, 9 percent

Crown and Anchor, 8 percent

Hotel San Jose, 8 percent

Doc’s, 8 percent

Deep Eddy Cabaret, 7 percent

Rio Rita (write-in), 6 percent

Billy’s on Burnet, 6 percent

Horseshoe Lounge, 5 percent

Jo’s, 4 percent

Bouldin Creek Coffeehouse, 3 percent

Posse East, 3 percent

Cain and Abel’s, 2 percent

Longbranch Inn, 2 percent

Flipnotics, 2percent

Quack’s, 1 percent

Progress Coffee, 1 percent

Joe’s Bar and Grill, < 1 percent

Peacock, < 1 percent

Red’s Scoot Inn, < 1 percent

Write-ins: Barfly’s, Buster’s Barbecue, Dry Creek Cafe, Draught House, Flight Path, Hot Mama’s, Nau’s Pharmacy, Parmer Lane Tavern, Poodie’s, Sao Paulo and Upper Crust

Photo of Mean Eyed Cat by Jay Janner/AMERICAN-STATESMAN

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Your A-List: Best Place You've Ever Been Kicked Out Of

Bravo to those of you who had the temerity to admit to some of the places you’ve been kicked out of. Unfortunately for those of us who got to read the e-mail submissions, there was no more than one instance for each of the locations, leaving us with a 10-way tie for Best Place You’ve Been Kicked Out Of.

For those places that were named, most were bars, which makes pretty good sense, what with the booze and all. And we can understand how someone might get kicked out of the Capitol for one reason or another. But, Toy Joy? Really? Put down the barrel of monkeys and back away from the display case, sir.

The entires:

Carlos ‘n’ Charlie’s

Ego’s

Eric’s Billiards

Fado

G&S

Room 710

Saxon Pub

Texas Capitol

Toy Joy

Trophy’s

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February 13, 2008

Your A-List: Best Open-Mic Night

There’s seemingly a venue on every corner in Austin where you can get up and play your guitar for the masses (or your two friends), but the opportunity to get up and try and make people laugh is a little bit harder to find. But when you do work up the nerve to try and tickle Austin’s funny bone, it’s apparent you love the Velveeta Room, winner with 36 percent of the vote of the Your A-List poll for Best Open-Mic Night.

Besides being a home to some of the best stand-ups in town, the Velveeta Room on 6th Street opens its doors each Thursday to pros and amateurs alike, who have the opportunity to try and squeeze as many laughs from the audience in their alotted three minutes. Sometimes it is painful, sometimes it is brilliant, but it is almost always entertaining to see people experiment with the idea of what makes people laugh.

The Velveeta Room itself has a long and sordid history dating back to the slightly more sketchy days of Sixth Street in the 70s. For a somewhat complete (if not hazy) retelling of the history of the Velveeta Room, Esther’s Follies and Sixth Street of old, check out the history section of the Velveeta Room’s Web site.

The Velveeta Room [site]
521 E. 6th St
469.9116

Others receiving votes

Ruta Maya, 21 percent

Poodie’s Hilltop Cafe, 18 percent

Cactus Cafe, 5 percent

Hill’s Cafe, 5 percent

Ego’s, 3 percent

Cheatham Street Warehouse, 3 percent

Trophy’s, 3 percent

Artz Rib House, 2 percent

Flipnotics, 2 percent

Neo-Soul Lounge at Club Illusion, 2 percent

Write-ins: Punchline at ColdTowne Theater and Sam’s Town Point

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Your A-List: Best Place Where You Can Still Smoke

The Great Smoking Ban of 2005 shook things up quite a bit for bar owners and patrons who like to puff, but there remain a few places in town where you can still light up without worrying. And when you light up it seems you like to head to Trudy’s, with 23 percent of the vote, winner of the Your A-List poll for Best Place Where You Can Still Smoke.

There are many a bar where you can light up without worrying about being tossed out and run that legal risk on your own, and even more where you can enjoy a smoke on the outdoor patio (Trudy’s Central), but rare is the place where smokers can have a ventilated room all to themselves. Such is the case at Trudy’s North, where smokers are not left to smoke quasi-legally or brave the (hot or cold) weather outside.

Trudy’s [site] Multiple locations

Others receiving votes:

Shoal Creek Saloon, 12 percent

Opal Divine’s, 9 percent

Cedar Street Courtyard, 8 percent

Crown and Anchor, 8 percent

Flamingo Cantina, 8 percent

Lovejoy’s, 8 percent

Ruta Maya, 7 percent

G&S Lounge, 6 percent

Ego’s, 5 percent

Star Bar, 5 percent

Write-ins: Little Woodrow’s and Texas Bar & Grill.

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Your A-List: Best TV Newscast

As with most major cities in the country, when you turn on the TV in Austin, you have plenty of sources for local news. Despite the choices on each station, it is clear, that with 40 percent of the vote, when you want local televised news, you want Your A-List poll winner for Best TV Newscast, KVUE.

The ABC-affiliate in Austin has long been the top-rated newscast in Central Texas. Among Austin anchor duos, Christine Haas and Tyler Sieswerda aren’t the longest-running team, but they’ve certainly caught on with viewers. Add to that station owner Belo’s reputation for top-notch news, popular music-loving meteorologist Mark Murray and veteran sportscaster Mike Barnes, and you’ve got a winner.

Others receiving votes

KEYE (CBS), 21 percent

KTBC (Fox), 18 percent

KXAN (NBC), 16 percent

News 8 Austin, 5 percent

KAKW (Univision), <1 percent

The Statesman’s Diane Holloway contributed to this post.
Image from KVUE.com

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Your A-List: Best Restaurant for a Romantic Meal

If you’re in the mood for love (and food), Austin has got you covered with myriad fine dining experiences that will leave both your stomach and significant other happy. When it comes to a romantic dining experience, it seems Carmelo’s, winner of the Your A-List poll for Best Restaurant for a Romantic Meal, is a good bet.

Carmelo’s received 14 percent of the vote, narrowly edging out Austin landmarks (and landmarks-to-be) Jeffrey’s, The Oasis and Vespaio, along with a litany of other fine choices. The Italian eatery situated in an old warehouse building in downtown Austin on East Fifth Street is famous for its subdued, romantic lighting, stone walls and live music that softly fills the restaurant, all of which make the restaurant a hot spot for lovers and would-be lovers.

Carmelo’s Ristorante [site] 504 East Fifth Street
512-477-7497

Others receiving votes

Jeffrey’s, 12 percent

The Oasis, 12 percent

Vespaio, 11 percent

Uchi, 8 percent

Hudson’s on the Bend, 8 percent

Wink, 7 percent

La Traviata, 6 percent

Roaring Fork, 5 percent

Vivo, 5 percent

Starlight, 4 percent

Zoot, 4 percent

Aquarelle, 4 percent

Write-ins: Driskill Grill and Fonda San Miguel

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February 6, 2008

Your A-List: Best Vietnamese Food

International flavors abound in Austin. To find them, often times it’s just a matter of a little searching. If you were to venture up North Lamar Boulevard just past U.S. 183, you’d find the winner of the Your A-List poll for Best Vietnamese food, with 28 percent of the vote, Tâm Cafe and Deli.

The small family-run eatery, which features traditional Vietnamese cuisine, is in a nondescript strip mall off North Lamar Boulevard. The café features delicious sandwiches, including the char-grilled pork sandwich and shredded pork sandwich. All of the Vietnamese sandwiches ($4-$6) come with mayonnaise, pickled carrots, cucumber, cilantro and jalapeños. But those fearful of mayo or jalapeños need not fret. The mayo simply adds moisture to the wonderfully crisp French rolls, while the fresh jalapeños offer just a bit of spice to kick things up ever so slightly.

But this is not your typical sandwich spot. In addition to the standard sandwich fare, Tâm offers such delights as Vietnamese green papaya salad with beef jerky, the Bánh Xèo — a crepe filled with shrimp, pork and bean sprouts — and some of the best Vietnamese buns in town.

Whether you want a quick bite or choose to wade into more traditional Vietnamese culinary waters, you can’t go wrong at Tâm.

Tâm Deli & Café
8222 North Lamar Blvd.
512-834-6458
10 a.m. - 8 p.m.
Closed Tuesdays

Others receiving votes:

Kim Phung, 17 percent

Hai Ky, 12 percent

Sunflower, 11 percent

Pho Van, 7 percent

888, 7 percent

Triumph Cafe, 6 percent

Mekong River, 6 percent

Le Soleil, 5 percent

Thanh Nhi, < 1 percent

Write-ins: Pho Hoang, Pho Saigon, Rosie Pho’s, Saigon Kitchen and Tan Mi

Permalink | | Categories: Your A-List

Your A-List: Best Newcomer to Austin's Music Scene

How do you make a name for yourself as a new band in a city where they seem to sprout up faster than wildflowers in the Hill Country spring? Being loud, playing fast and kicking some serious backside is a good start. At least it has worked for Black Panda, which, with 51 percent of the vote, is the winner of the Your A-List poll for Best Newcomer to Austin’s Music Scene.

The five-member punk outfit plays gnarly tunes that resemble the ferocity of their equally vicious namesake. (And you thought pandas were cute and cuddly. Think again.) The band has become a stalwart in the Red River scene and has played gigs at Music Monday at the Alamo Drafthouse as well as the Ground Zero Texas fest, a testament to the band’s growing popularity in Austin’s punk scene.

Others receiving votes:

Broken Gold, 16 percent

Comanche Abortion, 8 percent

New Dude, 5 percent

Terror Management Theory, 3 percent

Viet Minh, 3 percent

Crew 54, 2 percent

Big Black Smoke, 2 percent

Nakia, 2 percent

Shotgun Party, 2 percent

Kanko, 1 percent

{{{Sunset}}}, 1 percent

Gerald G, 1 percent

Sacred Shock, < 1 percent

Write-ins: Belleville Outfit, Carolyn Wonderland, Fire Horse, Goodness Goddess, The Johns, LaVonne, Monsta Big Band, Tungsten Coil, Super Crash and White Denim

Image from Bob Kinney on Black Panda’s MySpace

Permalink | Comments (3) | Categories: Your A-List

January 30, 2008

Your A-List: Best Movie Theater Popcorn

Who can really sit through a movie without having a warm bucket or bowl of popcorn? See? It’s impossible. Among those local theaters fighting for supremacy in the popped sustenance staple wars, the Alamo Drafthouse South sits atop the mound. With 27 percent of the vote, the South Austin addition to the Alamo empire is the winner of the Your A-List poll for Best Movie Theater popcorn.

Probably the most outstanding feature of the popped goodness is the all-natural butter that dresses the salty treat. And, unlike with many theaters, if you are unhappy with the poppitude of your kernels, I’ve found you can send the bowl back for a re-do. Now that’s service.

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Your A-List: Best Radio-Sponsored Event or Series

There ain’t no party like a Bobby Bones anniversary bash cause the BBAB don’t stop. Or so it appears, as, with 46 percent of the vote, the aformentioned KISS-FM-sponsored event won the Your A-List poll for Best Radio-Sponsored Event or Series.

The event, which celebrates the local radio morning personality and his avid listeners has become an annual happening for all of KISS’s devotees, and to beat out such popular happenings as Hot 93’s Meltdown and the family-friendly Blues on the Green, it’s obvious the witty Bones and his morning posse must be doing something right.

Others receiving votes
Hot 93.3 Meltdown 31 percent

KGSR Blues on the Green 7 percent

KGSR Unplugged at the Grove 5 percent

KVET free concert series at Hill’s 3 percent

J.B. and Sandy’s Beach Party 3 percent

101X Homegrown Live 2 percent

101X X-Mas Party 2 percent

Bobaritaville < 1 percent

KGSR Lone Star State of Mind < 1 percent

Permalink | Comments (2) | Categories: Your A-List

January 23, 2008

Your A-List: Best Place to Buy Home Accessories

As we all know, Austin is not just home to musicians, but an array of artists. And, let’s face it, all of us have a bit of the artiste in us, and one of the easiest ways to express said creativity is by designing and decorating the spaces in which we live. Among the host of purveyors around town that sell home accessories, with 45 percent of the vote, Aviary is the winner of the Your A-List poll.

A recent addition to the SOLA (that’s South Lamar for the uninitiated) shopping district, Aviary was opened as a response to local couple Marco Fiorilo and Shanna Eldridge’s mutual passion for travel and shopping. The mix of modern and vintage designs have been gathered by the owners on their trips across the globe to locales such as Argentina, Canada and Sweden, to name a few.

According to a story last year by the Statesman’s interior design columnist Mel Spencer, “the face of the store (and also the name, which used to be Roost) continues to morph as the couple finds their footing in Austin’s retail and design scenes. Now, in addition to sleek tableware from Sweden (sure to make the design junkie on your list swoon) and Ripple chairs from Italian design company Moroso, they’ve added a few Austin-based designers such as Michael Yates into the mix. An online store is also in the works, which Fiorilo and Eldridge see as a way to expand their own client base, while also boosting that of the Austin-based designers.”

So, when it’s time to spruce up their nests, it’s obvious that Austinites have a special place in their hearts for the homegrown Aviary.

Aviary [site]
2110 S. Lamar Blvd.
916-4445

Others receiving votes

Breed & Co., 14 percent

Zinger Hardware, 8 percent

Mercury Design Studio, 7 percent

Loft, 5 percent

Wildflower Organics, 4 percent

Shabby Chic, 3 percent

Eclectic, 3 percent

Gardens, 3 percent

Extraordinaire, 2 percent

Feather Your Nest, 2 percent

Finch, 1 percent

Architects and Heroes, < 1 percent

IF + D, <1 percent

Write-ins: Austin Modern, Cierra and The Home Spa

Permalink | | Categories: Your A-List

Your A-List: Best Vegetarian Cuisine

Austinites love their veggies like they love their sunshine. For this fit city, there are myriad options for vegetarian fare, but with 25 percent of the vote, it’s clear that your favorite is Your A-List poll winner for Best Vegetarian Cuisine, Bouldin Creek Coffeehouse.

The ramshackle (in a charming way) cafe that opened around the turn of the century (the 21st century), hearkens back to an older period and relies as much on the community it hopes to foster as it does the coffee and the food. Which is not to say that either is not fantastic, because the joe and the veggie-friendly menu have built a fiercely loyal customer base that can be seen strewn across the front lawn and dotted throughout the bar and cafe area inside from sunrise till the wee hours of the night.

Bouldin serves delicious salads, including the inching-toward-famous tofu and broccoli salad, along with hot meals (hello, portobello tacos), and yummy sandwiches, of which the cosmic sloppy undoubtedly is rightfully legendary.

When Austinites want a veggie delight that offers easy access, a friendly staff and a community-focused environment, it seems the little coffee shop that could has made a name for itself, making sure South Austin still stays ‘South Austin.’

Bouldin Creek Coffee House [site]
1501 S. 1st St. [map]
416.1601

Others receiving votes

Mother’s, 17 percent

Casa de Luz, 13 percent

Eastside Cafe, 11 percent

Mr. Natural, 11 percent

Clay Pit, 8 percent

Thai Passion, 5 percent

Wheatsville, 4 percent

Madras Pavilion, 4 percent

Thai Noodle House, 1 percent

Sarovar, 1 percent

Asia Cafe, < 1 percent

Write-ins: Bombay Express, Davine Foods, Titaya’s Thai Cuisine and Veggie Heaven

Permalink | Comments (8) | Categories: Your A-List

January 16, 2008

Your A-List: Best Low-Fat/Health-Conscious Option

In a battle of Austin-grown grocery institutions, the plucky Wheatsville Co-Op, with 27 percent of the vote, edged out national titan Whole Foods Market to earn the top spot in the Your A-List poll for Best Low-Fat/Health-Conscious Option.

The community-focused full-service grocery, located on Guadalupe Street, has the rare distinction of being a store owned by its member-partners, who receive discounted shopping at the natural foods haven. All owners pay a one-time, nonrefundable fee with an option to become an investing owner.

The co-op began almost 32 years ago in March 1976, and what started in the basement of a house on 29th Street and Lamar Boulevard lo those many years ago has become the most successful food co-op in Texas, with more than 8,000 members and close to $7 million in annual revenue, according to the co-op’s Web site. Beyond the spirit of cooperation and community involvement, which includes support of organizations such as Save Our Springs Alliance, Sunshine Community Gardens and The Inside Books Project, Wheatsville offers a cornucopia of vegetarian delights (hello, popcorn tofu po’boy and tempeh chili frito pie), a comprehensive bulk section, hormone-free meat for us meat-eaters and a tasty assortment of vegan baked goods. That’s not just “keeping it weird,” that’s keeping it delicious.

Others receiving votes:

Whole Foods, 23 percent

Zen, 14 percent

Central Market, 11 percent

Eastside Cafe, 6 percent

Casa de Luz, 5 percent

Mother’s, 4 percent

Mr. Natural, 3 percent

Baby Greens, 3 percent

Leaf, 2 percent

Sun Harvest, 2 percent

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Your A-List: Best Sportscaster

Sometimes it doesn’t take long to make a good impression. Such is the case for KEYE’s recently hired sports director Bob Ballou, with 59 percent of the vote, winner of the Your A-List for Best Sportscaster.

In a world where sports news can be found 24 hours a day on multiple cable channels, Ballou, who replaced former sports anchor Skip Baldwin, has made a name for himself in a brief time in the Austin market thanks to his dedication to local sports.

Upon Ballou’s hiring in August, KEYE news director Suzanne Black said: “Bob’s a very energetic guy. He has covered NBA championship teams, but the driving force for why we asked him to come work with us is his love of local sports.”

The NBA championship teams of which Black speaks are the San Antonio Spurs, as Ballou previously worked as a sports anchor and reporter for KENS, the CBS station in San Antonio. Beyond local sports, the University of Missouri-pedigreed journalist enjoys being involved in his church, working to help charities, and playing and watching sports, naturally.

And, yes, Bob Ballou is his given name, and he can prove it.

Others receiving votes:

Mike Barnes, KVUE, 24 percent

Roger Wallace, KXAN, 10 percent

Dave Cody, KTBC, 4 percent

Jeff Power, News 8 Austin, 2 percent

Write-ins: Dennis de la Pena, KTBC; Chad Hastings, formerly of KLBJ

Permalink | | Categories: Your A-List

January 9, 2008

Your A-List: Best Late-Night Snack

With all of the concert-going, booze swilling and general late-night carousing, we Austinites need a place to refuel, soak up our libations and satisfy our hunger at night’s end. And although there are a host of delicious options around town, several of which have become something of Austin landmarks (see Magnolia Cafe and Kerbey Lane), it is a newcomer to the scene that has made it to the top of the Your A-List poll. With 38 percent of the vote, Go Bites is the winner of Best Late-Night Snack, narrowly beating out Pluckers.

Chef Brenton Schumacher, who just months after starting his own catering company, Pink Avocado, opened the window-service eatery on Red River Road in March 2007. His goal, as he stated at the time, was to do something different down here … some really good food downtown.” And, boy, did he succeed.

Originally the kitchen for the now defunct K Bar, the location was purchased by Emo’s and housed Stella’s Tacos for six months. After Stella’s lease ran out, Schumacher decided it was time to see his baby come to life.

The unassuming window next to Emo’s serves up an amazing array of gourmet grilled cheeses and sliders accompanied with some of the best handcut French fries in town, seasoned and fried to perfection and served with a green chili ailoli. Among the grilled cheesy delicacies he serves are the following combinations:
- Traditional: american and sharp cheddar cheese, wilted spinach, roma tomatoes
- Meaty: pepperoni, smoked ham, bacon, fried bologna, swiss, mustard, and pickles
- El Diablo: pepper-jack cheese, fresh jalapeño, tomato, cilantro, cilantro pesto
- Blue Plate: fried eggs, apple-wood smoked bacon, american cheese
- Elvis: peanut butter, banana, chocolate
- mango and swiss
- gruyere and onion
- prosciutto and fresh mozzarella
-The Downtown: fresh mozzarella, basil and white truffle oil

For those of you who like bite-sized burgers and miss Reido’s on Lamar Boulevard, you will find meaty heaven in the form of Go Bites’ sliders. The blue cheese and grilled leek concoction is as savory as any full-sized burger you’ll find in town, and, this being in Texas and all, you’d be a fool to pass up the BBQ, grilled onion and jalapeño-jack slider. But Schumacher and his dedicated and enthusiastic staff have you non-meat-eaters covered as well, with their homemade vegan sliders. The popular sandwiches are made with quinoa, brown rice, white beans, herbs, and other fresh ingredients, and Schumacher says they have become a huge hit on Red River.

Originally from Detroit, Schumacher came to Austin 12 years ago and had worked in various capacities for Central Market since his arrival. He left his position as executive sous chef there in the fall of 2006 and began his catering business, which handles about 20 big events a month, along with corporate lunches. Schumacher attests to having had the idea for Go Bites for 12 years, and after years of networking and feeling out the market, he finally felt ready to take the leap downtown. The late-night lines at Go Bites and appearance of the newly launched Go Bites catering, where he takes the quick, savory bites on the road, are a testament to this culinary entrepreneur’s success.

Go Bites is open Wednesday-Saturday from 8 p.m. to 4 a.m.

Others receiving votes:

Pluckers, 36 percent

Kerbey Lane, 11 percent

Magnolia, 5 percent

Katz’s, 2 percent

Roppolo’s, 1 percent

Best Wurst, 1 percent

Star Seeds, 1 percent

Home Slice, 1 percent

The Onion, 1 percent

Mrs. Johnson’s Donuts, < 1 percent

Thai Passion, < 1 percent

Wan Fu, < 1 percent

888, 2 percent

Write-ins: Hoek’s Pizza

Permalink | Comments (2) | Categories: Your A-List

January 2, 2008

Your A-List: Best Music Store

With a name and logo almost synonymous with the City of Austin itself, it is no wonder that, with 60 percent of the vote, Waterloo Records is the winner of the Your A-List poll for Best Music Store.

The store that takes its name from the historic name of the Austin area has been keeping it weird since before keeping it weird was cool. Or totally overdone. What began in 1982 as a small musical enterprise on Lamar Boulevard (about a mile south of the current location) has become an anchor of the Austin cultural landscape, offering an amazing array of CDs, vinyl, posters, T-shirts and, maybe most importantly, excellent customer service. It is truly a place by music lovers and for music lovers, with an understanding return policy and the opportunity to listen to any and every album before purchase. Beyond the merchandise and service, Waterloo is renowned for bringing artists (and free beer) to the people, with their live events that feature local and national acts.

The store may have moved since 1982, and it may have tripled in size, but Waterloo Music, unlike most everything else in this town, has not changed a bit and has not missed a beat in giving music lovers what they want. And judging by the constant foot traffic, it seems the digital age has not done anything to slow down one of the city’s most beloved cultural institutions and one of the best record stores in the country.

Waterloo Records [site]
600 A North Lamar [map]
474.2500

Others receiving votes:

Music Mania, 14 percent

End of an Ear, 10 percent

Cheapo, 7 percent

Half-Price Books, 2 percent

Sound on Sound, 1 percent

DJ Dojo, 1 percent

Encore, 1 percent

Austin Record Convention, <1 percent

Friends of Sound, <1 percent

Backspin, <1 percent

Antone’s, <1 percent

Permalink | | Categories: Your A-List

Your A-List: Best Italian Restaurant

Everything certainly is bigger in Texas, which is likely what explains your love for Cannoli Joe’s, winner with 37 percent of the vote of the Your A-List poll for Best Italian Restaurant in Austin.

Cannoli Joe’s is a massive restaurant that seems to play to the big appetites of large-waisted Texans, offering bottomless dishes of pasta and items such as chicken parmigiana from its 3,000-square-foot “scatter buffet table.” You read that right. 3,000 feet.

Located in Sunset Valley, the restaurant is a concept of Culinary Institute of America graduate Bob Hauser and the restaurateurs who brought Austin The County Line barbecue restaurants. The family-friendly spot which seems to have been made with expansion (or franchising) on the brain, charges $8.99 for lunch Monday through Friday, $12.99 for dinner Monday through Thursday and $15.99 for dinner Friday through Sunday, with children 12 and younger eating for half price and children 3 and younger dining free.

The restaurant, with its numerous rooms all styled in different themes, may seem to be trying a little too hard when it comes to ambience, a potential sign of trying to make up for weakened food-quality, but Statesman food critic Dale Rice says the appeal of the restaurant stretches beyond the buffet gimmick, decor and pricing structure.

From his Aug. 23 review of Cannoli Joe’s:

“The steak with the mushroom-Marsala sauce was moist and tender. The thick strips of roasted vegetables, such as zucchini and red pepper, were lightly charred, crisp-tender and tasty. The ziti with Bolognese sauce was robust and appealing. The gemelli with sausage was delicious. The thin slices of eggplant Parmesan were tasty. The pizzas were generously topped with cheese and ingredients. And there was a large variety of desserts, including apple and peach crisps, bread pudding, mini-cannolis, lemon bars, cream puffs, brownies and many flavors of hand-dipped ice cream.”

Buon appetito, y’all.

Cannoli Joe’s [site]
4715 290 East [map]
892.4444

A personal aside: My pick for best Italian restaurant is Will Packwood’s Cibo. Sublime.

Others receiving votes:

Joe DiMaggio’s, 34 percent

Vespaio, 7 percent

Cibo, 7 percent

Mandola’s, 3 percent

Romeo’s. 3 percent

Enoteca, 3 percent

Brick Oven, 1 percent

La Traviata, 1 percent

Asti, 1 percent

Ciola’s, <1 percent

Bellagio, <1 percent

North, <1 percent

Primizie, <1 percent

Hill Country Pasta House, <1 percent

Stortini, <1 percent

Rocco’s, <1 percent

Write-ins: Barris, Bella Sera, Brick Oven, Carmelo’s, It’s Italian, Johnny Carino’s, Reale’s, Siena, Treehouse, Uno’s and Vinny’s

Image by Mark Matson FOR AMERICAN-STATESMAN

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December 26, 2007

Your A-List: Best Place to Buy Records

Guest blogger Brandon Cobb weighs in on this week’s winner, Waterloo Records:

There is no doubt that for portability and versatility the ubiquitous iPod is king — at least for a few more years. But you so much as mention the words “sound quality” in the same breath as mp3 and your music snob, audiophile friend is likely to launch into a 20-minute diatribe about sampling rates, digital dither and “analog warmth.” When it comes to complete and accurate reproduction of sound, analog reigns. And if there is anything an LP loyalist enjoys more than extolling the virtues of analog sound, it’s shopping for vinyl.

With 68 percent of the vote in this week’s Your A-List poll, Waterloo Records was voted as Austin’s Best Place to Buy Records, no small feat in a city where people are as vehement about music as they are about politics.

Austin’s incredibly diverse musical tastes are reflected in the myriad of specialty record stores catering to everyone from the jazz lover to the working DJ. But when you’re out record shopping, you’re not always looking for something specific. Often you find yourself thumbing through the bins looking for something that catches your eye, some obscure gem with an inch of dust on it begging to be played. My friend Nick’s pride and joy is a pristine copy of Boney M’s “Love For Sale” which he bought solely on the strength of the cover art.

In this regard Waterloo does a fine job of stocking a wide variety of not only vintage, but also newly released vinyl including an impressive selection of 7-inch punk singles.

Selection along with customer service are the hallmarks of a great record store. Save for the hipster barista, there is no one quite as annoyingly pretentious as the self-important music store clerk — think Jack Black’s character in “High Fidelity.” Fortunately the staff at Waterloo is very helpful and will wait until you’ve left the store to laugh at you for buying that David Hasselhoff LP.

And what could be better than live music and free beer while you are out record shopping? Waterloo books some great bands, so check out their Web site for a list of upcoming in-stores.

Others receiving votes:

Cheapo Discs, 11 percent

End of an Ear, 6 percent

Half-Price Books, 5 percent

Antone’s, 4 percent

Austin Record Convention, 2 percent

Backspin, 2 percent

DJ Dojo, 1 percent

Sound on Sound 1 percent

Friends of Sound, < 1 percent

Permalink | | Categories: Your A-List

Your A-List: Best Post-Workout Refueling Spot

Guest blogger Brandon Cobb weighs in on this week’s winner, Whole Foods Market:

Austin is one fit city. Just ask Statesman columnist Pamela LeBlanc, who probably jogs more miles than I drive each week. As a city, we may hit up Kerbey Lane for a half-stack and hash browns on Saturday, but we’re out Sunday morning for a 5-mile run on the trails to work it off.

Afterward, we need some serious replenishment, and with 41 percent of the vote, Whole Foods is this week’s Your A-List winner for Best Post-Workout Refueling Spot.

It isn’t exactly right off the hike-and-bike trail, but it’s close enough to stop by and grab a Vitimin Water and peruse their enormous produce section after a run. Whole Foods prides itself on its selection of locally grown and organic veggies.

Whole Foods carries an impressive selection of protein bars and Odwalla products for that post-workout pick-me-up. And, if you need something more substantial, they’ve also got everything from smoothies to fresh-baked, gluten-free muffins.

If you’ve got the time, you can also stop in and visit with one of their nutrition specialists to get the answers to all those tough nutrition questions like, “What exactly is spirulina and how can something that sounds like an infectious disease be good for me?” Consultations run from a simple $5 question-and-answer session to an in-depth, private consultation for $40.

Others receiving votes:

Central Market, 14 percent

Daily Juice, 13 percent

Austin Java Company, 10 percent

Tacodeli, 7 percent

Jo’s, 5 percent

Mr. Natural, 3 percent

Wheatsville, 3 percent

People’s Pharmacy, 2 percent

Sun Harvest, 2 percent

Bouldin Creek Coffeehouse, 1 percent

Food for Fitness Cafe, 1 percent

Permalink | | Categories: Your A-List

December 19, 2007

Your A-List: Best French Fries

First she planted her flag in planet ice cream. Now Amy Simmons and her husband Steve are making a name for themselves in the gastronomical world of french fries, as their Phil’s Ice House, with 36 percent of the vote, is the winner of the Your A-List poll for Best French Fries.

What makes a good fry? Thickness, quality ingredients, flavor and crispiness? Sure, those things are a necessity, but if you really want to stand out among the plethora of fry locales in Austin, a little bit of imagination helps, as well. And Phil’s is not afraid of shaking things up a bit, as evidenced by their unique french fries that mix both white and sweet potatoes. Mmmm… sweet potatoes. Homer Simpson would pass out. Not that he’s necessarily a fry guy, but you get the idea. Mouth-wateringly tasty.

Named after Amy and Steve’s late business partner Phil Clay, who died tragically in a motorcycle accident, the culinary homage that sits adjacent to Amy’s Ice Cream on Burnet Road was opened a year and a half ago and has been serving satisfied singles and families ever since.

Just as Amy’s has for 20 years now, Phil’s is making a name for itself thanks to a family friendly atmosphere, community spirit, personable service and quality ingredients. Time will only tell what Amy and Co. have up their sleeves next. But we imagine it will be delicious, and hopefully just as sinful.

Phil’s Ice House [site]
5620 Burnet Road [map]
524.1212

Others receiving votes:

Hyde Park Bar & Grill, 28 percent

Hut’s, 11 percent

P. Terry’s, 7 percent

Sandy’s, 5 percent

The Tavern, 4 percent

Top Notch, 3 percent

219 West, 2 percent

Billy’s on Burnet, 2 percent

Quality Seafood, < 1 percent

Write-ins: Crown and Anchor, Dan’s Hamburgers, Freddie’s, Hoffbrau, McDonald’s, Lamberts, Roaring Fork and Shady Grove
Image of Phil’s burger and fries by Kelly West AMERICAN-STATESMAN

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Your A-List: Best Place to Hear Live Music on a Weeknight

Being the Live Music Capital of the World takes work and dedication. Any city can have great shows on the weekend, but it takes a special kind of city — and bar — to support live music almost every single day of the year. For Saxon Pub, it seems almost effortless. Their almost unparalleled weekly music calendar has landed them the top spot in the Your A-List poll for Best Place to Hear Live Music on a Weekday.

The winner with 32 percent of the vote, the Saxon Pub adds this honor to its previous honor of best happy hour. And it’s that musical happy hour that makes the old Austin haunt such a draw from music and beer lovers alike. In a time where condos and ultra-clubs, or whatever those new swanky places are called, seem to be the flavor of the day, the dark, saloon-style Saxon Pub harkens back to an earlier time when Austin still had a true renegade spirit and those on the frontlines had guitars slung over their shoulders.

The regulars are friendly even if they don’t know you, and there’s really no such thing as a stranger at the Saxon. And with multiple bands playing seven days a week, you never have to worry about checking the calendar to see who’s playing. Every night you’re guaranteed to see some of the best singing and songwriting talents Austin has to offer, and who knows, show up on the right night and you just might find Bonnie Rait or some other international star on the stage, feeling just at home at the Saxon as one of the regulars sitting at the bar.

The Saxon Pub [site]
1320 S. Lamar [map]
448.2552

Others receivng votes:

Antone’s, 25 percent

Continental Club, 11 percent

Cedar Street, 7 percent

Emo’s, 7 percent

The Mohawk 6, percent

Elephant Room, 5 percent

Momo’s, 3 percent

Ruta Maya, 2 percent

Ego’s, 1 percent

Flipnotics, < 1 percent

Flamingo Cantina, < 1 percent

Write-ins: Ginny’s Little Longhorn, Headhunters, Joe DiMaggio’s Italian Chophouse, Jovita’s and TC’s Lounge

Permalink | | Categories: Your A-List

December 12, 2007

Your A-List: Best Music Festival

Austin certainly thrives on and supports the independent spirit, and it can be said that we are also fans of the underdog. Such must be the explanation of the (relatively) small Heart of Texas Rock Fest (as David) taking down the Goliaths of music festivals, SXSW and Austin City Limits. With 35 percent of the vote, the Heart of Texas Rock Festival is the winner of the Your A-List poll for Best Music Festival.

Two things can certainly be said for the Heart of Texas: it has chutzpah and it knows that timing and location are everything. How else could you explain the fact that this festival runs each March right smack in the, pardon the pun, heart of SXSW?

The local fest, which proudly identifies itself as truly being the fest for independent bands, began in 2000 with only 16 bands playing in one venue and has expanded over the years to a popular festival that draws close to 200 bands to five stages in downtown Austin. Much like SXSW in its earlier years, the Heart of Texas’ mission is to offer unsigned bands an opportunity to be seen (and hopefully signed by) record labels, and what better way to get that exposure than by piggy-backing on the popularity of the behemoth that is SXSW.

With a fiercely independent spirit and tenacity to spare, the festival has carved a niche for itself in the Austin music landscape, a niche it appears happy to fill for years to come.

Heart of Texas Rock Fest [site] [MySpace]

Others receiving votes:

Austin City Limits, 31 percent

South by Southwest, 24 percent

Kerrville Folk Fest, 3 percent

Fun Fun Fun Fest, 2 percent

Old Settler’s, 2 percent

Extreme Texas Metal Fest, 2 percent

Reggae Fest, 1 percent

Urban Music Fest, < 1 percent

Chaos in Tejas, < 1 percent

Write-in: Heart of Texas Quadruple Bypass Rockfest.

Permalink | Comments (9) | Categories: Your A-List

Your A-List: Best Sporting Goods Store

Weather that is rather clement for much of the year. Suburbs packed with active children. A populace that loves getting out in nature. Austin has all of the elements of a great participatory sports city. And with all of the active bodies around town, somebody’s gotta equip them with gloves, bikes, roller blades, golf clubs, frisbees, fishing poles, and tennis racquets. Enter Academy Sports + Outdoors, with 36 percent of the vote, winner of the Your A-List poll for Best Sporting Goods Store.

Not only does Academy offer “the right stuff, the right price,” the Texas-based superstore also has one of the most memorable advertising jingles of the past 20 years, and for them that’s probably a good thing. Any time you think, “I need a pair of sweatpants and a fishing rod, where should I go?” and an ad jingle enters your head, you know the attached company has entered the collective consciousness.

Academy indeed offers “the right stuff,” meaning virtually every sporting-related product imaginable, at low prices, and with convenient locations, friendly staff and a recognizable brand, they will probably be doing so for many years to come in Austin.

Academy Sports + Outdoors [official site]
Various locations

Others receiving votes:

REI, 17 percent

RunTex, 13 percent

Cabela’s, 10 percent

Whole Earth, 8 percent

Ozone Bikes, 4 percent

Sports Authority, 3 percent

Bicycle Sports Shop, 3 percent

Soccer World, 2 percent

Jack and Adam’s Bicycles, 2 percent

Austin Tri-Cyclist, 1 percent

University Cyclery, 1 percent

Write-ins: McBride’s, Rooster Andrews, The Soccer Post and Southwest Cycle Sport.

Permalink | | Categories: Your A-List

December 5, 2007

Your A-List: Best Place for a Cheap Date

Austin has a host of options if you really want to impress a date. Four-star hotels and fine dining abound, but sometimes we may find we have champagne taste but a lite beer budget. It is this type of realization that leads some of us to look for more cost-conscious dating options. The key when trying to save money is to spend less while not seeming cheap. And despite the multitude of options at hand, it seems you think the best way to save money while still having a fun date is to head to the Alamo Drafthouse, with 29 percent of the vote, winner of the Your A-List poll for Best Place for a Cheap Date.

Almost half of the week, the Alamo locations offers amazingly cheap options, with $2 Music Mondays and the free programming of Weird Wednesday and Terror Thursday. The money that you save on a regularly priced movie ticket can then go toward buying you and your date a bucket of beer to go with your popcorn or pizzas, and even when you are paying full price, you still get the chance to kill two entertainment birds with one stone. How’s that for efficiency? The Alamo offers first-rate entertainment in a fun environment away from the throngs of families and children at the regular cineplex, along with sandwiches, burgers, pizzas and salads that rival any mid-level restaurant in town.

When it comes to entertaining a date on a budget, the Alamo offers you the chance to look cultured and hip without breaking the bank. And, go ahead, get the real butter on your popcorn, you cheapskate; it’s free.

Others receiving votes

Mount Bonnell, 12 percent

Home Slice, 10 percent

Frank and Angie’s, 10 percent

First Thursday, 8 percent

Baby Acapulco, 7 percent

Zilker Botanical Garden, 7 percent

Movies in the Park, 6 percent

Elephant Room, 3 percent

Crown and Anchor, percent

Jackalope, 2 percent

Austin Park & Pizza, 1 percent

Nasty’s, 1 percent

Third Base, < 1 percent

Write-ins: Dolce Vita, Freddie’s Place, Magnolia Cafe, Maudie’s, Mean-Eyed Cat, Milto’s, Poodie’s Hilltop, Roaring Fork and Shady Grove

Permalink | | Categories: Your A-List

Your A-List: Best Magazine

From heavyweights with national reputations (Texas Monthly) to write-in candidates with enough votes to crack the top three (Austin Music + Entertainment), the Your A-List Poll for Best Magazine is proof that the printed word is still a very popular source for folks looking to get information on topics ranging from music to design. Leading the way in Austinites’ love for magazines is Soundcheck Magazine, winner with 36 percent of the vote.

Billing itself as Austin’s only full-color, glossy monthly magazine devoted strictly to covering and promoting music, Soundcheck Magazine has made quite a name for itself in a brief period of time, reaching up to 50,000 readers each month. The free magazine, launched in March 2006, offers features on local bands as well as concert reviews and listings, and can be found around town in more than 300 locations, including the Alamo Drafthouse, Antone’s and BookPeople.

Soundcheck is not a slave to the printed word, however, and also offers a strong Web presence, with online exclusives and a blog featuring reviews, interviews and suggested show listings. In a town crawling with music resources and one in which magazines come and go, Soundcheck seems to have found some staying power.

How did one of the new kids on Ausitn’s magazine block beat out so many other publications by such a wide margin? Soundcheck’s Director of Publicity Joanna Hackney points to the niche that the young magazine filled, a loyal readership and a committment by the magazine to provide quality content and always remain open to reader feedback.

“Soundcheck found a niche that was not being served. Austin is the most amazing music community of musicians and fans, and it’s the perfect city in which to base ourselves in regards to readership. We’ve recognized this from the beginning and have really strived to present a magazine that is truly based off of our readers’ wishes. We strive to really find out what the music community wants. It’s not just about printing a hip magazine, or having a cool website; we really are focused on finding innovative ways to connect the artist and the Austin audience on a daily basis,” Hackney told me via email recently.

Others receiving votes

Texas Monthly, 17 percent

Austin Music + Entertainment, 11 percent

Austin Monthly, 11 percent

Austin Woman, 6 percent

Tribeza, 4 percent

Austin Daze, 4 percent

Rare, 3 percent

Glossy, 2 percent

Misprint, 2 percent

Austin Fit, < 1 percent

Whoopsy, < 1 percent

Brilliant, < 1 percent

Fave, < 1 percent

A, < 1 percent

Austin Wide Open, < 1 percent

L Style G Style, < 1 percent

Capital City Sports Report, < 1 percent

Write-ins: The Good Life and Texas Home & Living.

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November 28, 2007

Your A-List: Best Place for a Blind Date

A blind date can be a nightmare. What do you wear? Should it be strictly fun, or should you shoot for some romance? What is he/she going to be like? Can I bail if it gets too boring or weird? With so many questions to answer in preparation for these encounters, it’s nice to have a place that makes you feel at ease and one that is conducive to a good time. Such is the Hula Hut, with 22 percent of the vote, winner of the Your A-List poll for Best Place for a Blind Date.

Wanna head out to the lake but not all the way out to the lake? Want a casual atmosphere with friendly service? Crave tasty food that won’t set you back $100 or make it look like you’re trying too hard? Then it seems Hula Hut is the place to be, as it narrowly edged out fellow Comida Deluxe restaurant Shady Grove, yet another casual dating hot spot, for top honors.

Hula Hut was opened on the banks of Lake Austin back in 1993 as an alternative to the regular Tex-Mex scene, offering what the company calls “Mexonesian” cuisine, a mix of Mexican and Polynesian. That Polynesian influence can be seen not only in the surf and beach decor but in the menu as well, with Hawaiian fajitas, coconut shrimp and a bevy of tropical margarita options all offering a small taste of the islands right here in Central Texas. Arguably the hallmark of the restaurant is the Palapa bar and deck out behind the restaurant that overlooks the lake and offers a beautiful setting for cocktails if you have to wait for a table or if you want to forgo the dinner altogether. And, with blind dates often being cringe-inducing experiences, it’s always nice to have a mango margarita to fall back on as you navigate the uneasy waters of getting to know a stranger.

Hula Hut [site]
3825 Lake Austin Blvd. [map]
476.4852

Shady Grove, 21 percent

Dave and Buster’s, 11 percent

Austin Java, 10 percent

Peter Pan Mini-Golf, 8 percent

B Scene at the Blanton Museum of Art, 7 percent

Dart Bowl, 5 percent

Halcyon, 5 percent

Texas Rollergirls match, 4 percent

300 Austin, 3 percent

Adult skate night at Playland, 3 percent

Little City, 2 percent

Permalink | Comments (2) | Categories: Your A-List

Your A-List: Best Sale

Something old, something new, something borrowed, something blue. You can find all of the above and much more at Austin’s City-Wide Garage Sale, with 23 percent, the winner of the Your A-List poll for Best Sale.

The annual event at the Palmer Events Center touts itself as the city’s largest antique, collectible and vintage marketplace and is sponsored by the Vintage Market and Event Co., which produces and promotes antique and collectible shows in five markets in Texas, from Belton to Katy. But it’s the show on the shores of Town Lake that matters to us Austinites. The two-day event in the late fall offers shoppers of all tastes to explore myriad wonders, from dresses to antique chests of drawers, and all right around the holiday season.

Four Hands warehouse sale, 16 percent

Armadillo Christmas Bazaar, 14 percent

Le Garage Sale, 10 percent

A Christmas Affair, 8 percent

Strut’s first-of-the-month sale, 7 percent

Austin Record Convention, 4 percent

Flipnotics sidewalk sale, 4 percent

Literacy Austin Bookfest, 4 percent

Buffalo Exchange sidewalk sale, 3 percent

Blue Genie Christmas Bazaar, 3 percent

Service Menswear 50 percent-off sale, 3 percent

Austin Books and Comics anniversary sale, 2 percent

Write-ins: Neiman-Marcus Last Call and Settlement Home Garage Sale

Permalink | | Categories: Your A-List

November 21, 2007

Your A-List: Best Bookstore

Consistently ranked as the most literate city in Texas, and one of the most literate in the country, Austin is a haven for book lovers. And leading the pack of those feeding Austinites’ book jones is BookPeople, with 44 percent of the vote, winner of the Your A-List poll for Best Bookstore.

While other cities may rely on big-box stores to satisfy their literary needs, Austin likes to Keep it Weird, as well all know, and BookPeople has been at the forefront of the local, independent business scene. The downtown location offers over 200,000 titles, in addition to one of the best magazine selections in town, locally-produced gifts, and much more. Beyond just being an excellent purveyor of goods, BookPeople also works to maintain its reputation as a good neighbor, by offering programs for children and families, as well as a packed calendar of book readings from an array of writers. It is this spirit of community and a love of books that helped BookPeople earn Publisher’s Weekly nod as Bookstore of the Year in 2005 and its place atop the Your A-List poll in 2007.

BookPeople [site]
603 N. Lamar [map]
472.5050

Others receiving votes

Half-Price Books, 29 percent

Barnes & Noble, 14 percent

Borders, 5 percent

BookWoman, 3 percent

Intellectual Property, 2 percent

Monkeywrench, 1 percent

Austin Books and Comics, 1 percent

12th Street Books, < 1 percent

Resistencia, 1 percent

Write-in: Bookstop

Permalink | | Categories: Your A-List

Your A-List: Top Eyesore

This category we just didn’t feel good seeding on our own, so we let you, the readers, decide what deserves the ‘honor’ of being the top eyesore in town. While there was some heavy competition from certain retail stores and the plethora of new condo developments going up around town, the winner of the Your A-List poll for Top Eyesore was the University of Texas’ football practice facility, known simply as “The Bubble.”

Before 2002, one could drive down I-35 and take a nice view over to the east side of campus and it looked like it had for years. But as the athletic facilities at UT got upgraded, it suddenly appeared as if aliens had landed to help with the job. Construction on the $4 million bubble began in May of 2002. The structure, which is best known for its three-layer outer bubble which was created by Yealdon Fabric Domes Inc., has allowed the UT football team to prepare in inclement weather, as well as serving as a home to practices by the UT band and soccer teams.

So, while to some the 70,000-square-foot, climate-controlled facility may not be the best-looking member of Austin’s archictectural community, it has most definitely served its purpose, which is a little more than some of the write-in candidates can say.

University of Texas Practice Facility (aka “The Bubble”)
Intersection of Dean Keeton Street and Red River Street

Others receiving votes: A certain home on Red Willow Drive in Oak Hill, apartments adjacent to the Four Seasons, AT&T Executive Education and Conference Center at UT, condos on Barton Springs Road, homeless people living downtown, Howard Lane extension project, landfill on U.S. 290 East, Leslie Cochran, McMansions, Nokonah Condos, Northcross Mall, Robertson Hill Apartments, Second Street District, Sixth Street near Shoal Creek, suburban sprawl, Texas 45, Texas 45 and Interstate 35 flyover ramps, Travis County Courthouse, Wal-Mart, Waller Creek, Westgate Building

Permalink | Comments (1) | Categories: Your A-List

November 14, 2007

Your A-List: Best Hamburger

Austin may be best known for its barbecue and Tex-Mex, but there is no denying the passion Austinites have for hamburgers, as evidenced by it being the category with the most write-in votes in the Your A-List poll. Leading the pack of the multitudes of contenders to the throne is P. Terry’s, winner of the Your A-List poll for Best Hamburger.

A relative newcomer to the burger scene in Austin, the burger stand and drive-thru situated north of the intersection of Lamar Boulevard and Barton Springs Road has a classic look and feel, and it was not long after opening that it had long lines of devoted fans. Burger lovers flock here for the natural Angus beef patties and fresh ingredients. The standard burger comes with lettuce, tomato and a special sauce, but pickles, jalapeños, cheese and onions (fresh or grilled) can be added to make it a real monster.

Affable owner Patrick Terry, who can often be seen working at his establishment, opened the popular South Austin burger joint in 2005 after being inspired by Eric Schlosser’s book “Fast Food Nation.” Terry wanted to open a restaurant that cared about making burgers with quality ingredients and had a commitment to cooking with the consumers’ health in mind. The payoff is a successful business and the establishment of the restaurant as a delicious anchor of the Austin “anti-fast food” industry, as well as a strong and supportive member of the local community.

Whether they’re just grabbing a double from the drive-thru or spending an afternoon out on the shaded picnic tables, it is obvious from this poll (and the line of cars in the parking lot) that Austinites can’t get enough of the savory goodness of P. Terry’s burgers.

P Terry’s [site]
407 S. Lamar
512.473.2217

Others receiving votes:

Casino El Camino, 12 percent

Dan’s Hamburgers, 9 percent

Dirty Martin’s, 6 percent

Hill’s Cafe, 6 percent

Burger Tex, 4 percent

Shady Grove, 4 percent

Fran’s Hamburgers, 4 percent

Hyde Park Bar & Grill, 4 percent

Roaring Fork, 3 percent

Sandy’s Hamburgers, 3 percent

Steak ‘n’ Shake, 3 percent

Mike’s Pub, 3 percent

Culver’s, 2 percent

Write-ins: Artz Rib House, Austin Barbecue, Billy’s on Burnet, Boulevard Bar and Grill, County Line, Crown and Anchor, Doña Emilia’s, Eastside Cafe, El Patio, Freddie’s Place, Frisco Shop, Hillbert’s, Houston’s, Hut’s Hamburgers, The Jackalope, Pflugerville Deli, Phil’s Ice House, Poodie’s Hilltop, Red Robin, Ski Shores, Texas Chili Parlor, The Tavern, Top Notch, Waterloo Ice House, Whataburger

A personal aside: While I do enjoy the double burger at P. Terry’s, my hamburger allegiance is to Casino El Camino. The thick, hand-packed burgers off the grill at the Sixth Street bar are unparalleled. Sure there may be a bit of a wait for them at times, but you can always sip on a cold one on the patio or play Ms. Pac-Man while you wait.

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Your A-List: Best Place to Buy Fresh Fruits and Vegetables

Austin has a reputation as one of the healthiest cities in the state. In order to maintain a healthful lifestyle, one must have a solid nutritional foundation, and when it comes to shopping for fresh fruits and vegetables in Austin, there is no shortage of quality providers. But, with 36 percent of the vote, it is clear that your favorite is the Austin Farmers’ Market, winner of the Your A-List poll for Best Place to Buy Fruits and Vegetables.

The market’s flagship located in Republic Square Park downtown operates on Saturday mornings. On Wednesdays from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m., the market moves north to Triangle Park on Guadalupe Street. The year-round market has been providing the community with locally produced (all from within 150 miles) fruits, veggies, nuts, cheese and more since 2003. A project of the Sustainable Food Center, the market defines it mission as improving access to local, healthy and affordable food for children and adults in Central Texas.

Austinites are not the only ones to recognize the quality of the delicious market, as Green Light magazine has recognized the Austin Farmers’ Markets as one of the top 10 markets in the country by Green Living Online.

Others receiving votes:

Central Market, 21 percent

Whole Foods Market, 17 percent

Sunset Valley Farmers’ Market, 11 percent

Boggy Creek Farm, 7 percent

South Austin Farmers’ Market, 2 percent

Sun Harvest, 2 percent

Wheatsville Food Co-op, 2 percent

Greenling.com, 1 percent

Write-ins: Costco, H-E-B, Manor Farmers’ Market and Millberg Farm

Permalink | | Categories: Your A-List

November 7, 2007

Your A-List: Best Festival That's Not ACL or SXSW

Famous musicians and filmmakers, comedy, and kites flying high above the Zilker Park sky are all nice, but when it comes to fests not called ACL or SXSW, it seems you prefer to broaden your horizons to more heady ventures, as evidenced by the Texas Book Festival coming out on top, with 49 percent of the vote, of the Your A-List poll for non-SXSW or ACL festivals.

Barack Obama, Padma Lakshmi, Amy Sedaris, Tom Perrotta. They may not be rock stars or famous faces from the silver screen, but each fall, names such as these, and hundreds of lesser known authors converge on the grounds of the state capitol for the annual homage to books and the brilliant minds behind them.

Established in 1995 by then First Lady Laura Bush, a former librarian, the festival was originally conceived as an event to honor Texas authors, promote the joys of reading and serve to benefit the state’s public libraries. Since its innaugural event in 1996, the festival has grown to become one of the most well-respected and popular in the country, with over 200 authors attending from around the world each year, presenting and signing for thousands of avid book lovers.

Austin may be best known for its live music and indie film scene, but the Texas Book Festival gives proof to the fact that Austin residents are equally commit