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Jaymes

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Everything posted by Jaymes

  1. I lived in Shady Hollow when I first moved here, so ate down there a lot. However, that's been about eight years ago, so I don't know if the places we enjoyed are still there or not. There was a Green Mesquite down there, good for ribs; Slab Shack (my son worked there for a time) good brisket and chopped beef, and a Mexican restaurant that served pretty good interior Mexican. I can't remember the name of it, but I think it was over in Manchaca... wherever it was, it was away from the main drag... we took the back way out of Shady Hollow. And of course, a perennial favorite, Salt Lick. My favorite, though, was and still is Rosie's Tamale House which, although not what some might call "close" to you, is closer to you than it is now to me (I'm in far north Austin....much, much farther north than the location on North Lamar that you referred to as "far north and I do mean far"). Rosie's is out Hwy 71 (I think, it's been a while since I've been that way so if you try it, you might be smart to check the map or call before you go) by the lake. You go to the "y" and head west. Anyone can tell you where it is. Rosie's Tamale House got started a long time ago with just a small place (you could almost call it a shack) on the left-hand side of the highway. It's still there and they still sell what some people consider the best tamales in Austin. But Rosie was so successful that she built a nice big restaurant about a quarter-mile on down the highway, and on the opposite side (your right hand, if you're heading west), and that'll be what you're watching for. Start with the nachos...be sure to get them plain...that's very important....you don't want all that other junk just slopping them up and ruining them; you want just the fresh hot corn tortilla halves, and beans and cheese, with a bowl of jalepeños on the side. If the only nachos you've had are those big production deals in the chain restaurants, you're in for a revelation. Then, get the chiles rellenos... I usually get beef. I drive a long way for those rellenos. Another place closer to you than to me, that I am still willing to drive to, is Thai Spice on Cap of Texas. Everyone I've asked says it's the best Thai in town. I drive by at least four or five other Thai restaurants to get there, so I must think it's pretty good, too. Speaking of driving, if you like German, pack up the ole' vehicle and get on I35 and head north until you get to the Walberg exit. It's a small German town, and I do mean small and actually now that I think about it, calling it a "town" at all is probably an exaggeration. There's not much there except a bank and a couple other buildings, including an old mercantile store that is now a German restaurant. Of course things change, so can't vouch for the same fellow owning it, but a while back I had a German exchange student staying with me and we took her for dinner there at least once a month. She always ordered the potato soup to start and once I asked her if it was the same as her mother made and she said, "Well, my mother does make potato soup but this is much better." She got into a big conversation with the German owner/chef and he said he was raising his own pigs and vegetables to give everything the authentic flavor from back home. They have buffets some times of the year, Octoberfest for sure, and orgasmic "Octoberfest special beer" that they serve year 'round. There is a tent and Biergarten out back with oompah music, for special occasions... call ahead to find out if there's going to be a band, if you're in the mood to don your lederhosen, stick a feather in der hut, and polka a step or two. All together now, "Eins, zwei...."
  2. Who were the Charlotte Russes and how did they get Danny Fisher laid? PS (I think maybe I went to high school with them.)
  3. Survir, your lyrical writing skills and remarkable recall of nuance are truly wonderful. I felt as though I, too, were in that house, in that kitchen, searching along with that small boy the night sky for that one special star. If eGullet did not a single other thing for me, I would feel blessed to have been introduced to you.
  4. In Texas, of course that's an "Arnge Drank."
  5. That sounds like heaven in a Nescafe jar. Any chance you still have her recipe? And, if so, would you share?
  6. Even in the olden days when I thought I had to take wine in order to be considered a proper guest, I had the sense to say, "Here's something for your wine cabinet," in order to let the host and hostess off of the hook of thinking I expected it to be served that evening. I agree that there's nothing worse than racing around your kitchen trying to deal with a gift that requires some kind of immediate attention. As least it is if you're as disorganized as I am.
  7. That called to mind a "childhood food memory" that I had completely forgotten....snow ice cream. Remember scooping up snow, being very careful to avoid any dirty or yellow spots , bringing it into the house, sprinkling it with sugar, and dousing it with heavy cream? Yum.... wonder if it'd still taste good today?
  8. Thanks for the compliment. It's just so much easier for me that way than at the last minute, racing to the wine shop or the flower shop or the chocolate shop. Of course, I must admit, if I were a true wine connoisseur, which I decidedly am not, I'd probably be more likely to take that.
  9. Thank you, Survir, for taking the time to write that marvelous post... It is breathtaking. It only spurs me on to visit India someday.
  10. Jaymes, is there a different technique used for eating milk as opposed to drinking it. Do you have to chew Eagle brand? Just wanted to know, in case I was missing an exerience. Well, Eagle Brand is much too thick to drink. It would be like drinking one's chocolate pudding. I gag at the thought of attempting it. One could waggle one's finger in it and slurp from that finger, I suppose. However, I believe that even the action of licking and slurping from the waggled finger would still be referred to as "eating" rather than "drinking."
  11. Jaymes, thanks for your kindly expressed kitty concern. Diana only gets less than a spoonful of milk when I eat a bowl of Smacks, 'cause I know that milk and sugar aren't good for her digestion. So I think she'll be okay. Lately I'm less on Smacks as a guilty meal. Now I eat toasted baguettes with Plugra butter and jam if I'm so hungry I must have food immediately and can't be bothered about fixing something decent. Well, I'm sure a few spoonsful of Sugar Smacks milk is nothing like half a can of Eagle Brand. Hard to imagine anybody'd be so dumb, ain't it.
  12. I know very little about India and Indian food, except that I am extremely jealous of everyone who does. Although I have lived and traveled all over the world, have never gotten to India. Yet. But I am fascinated at the mystery and the majesty of the country and its people. Even now, I can hear the high, melodic and hypnotic tones of the music, see the graceful flowing fabrics that adorn the women, the glint of golden bangles against their dark skin, the dots of red between the deep pools of their eyes. I can smell the curries and sambals, and wonder at the exotic tastes that would feel to strange to my tongue, but to the natives, are just yesterday's "meat and potatoes." And if I go, would I feel the strange pull of the caves in the North? Would I be in awe of the Gods of the Ganges? Could I know which of the unusual fruits in the market to select? Could I ever truly comprehend the bravery of these proud people who threw off the stiffling yoke of other nations' oppression? I don't know if I'll ever get the chance, but I think of those things when I enter our local Indian restaurants...the Taj Palace, the Clay Pot, the Sarovar. I have no experienced guide to accompany me, so I go to the buffets. What am I eating? I may never know. But I'll try it all. And close my eyes. And hear the music.
  13. Thought I'd better warn you... my brother-in-law opens and eats, at one sitting, an entire can of Eagle Brand Milk. He and my sister have a cat and although sugar is not a natural part of a cat's diet, he also likes the sweetness of Eagle Brand. So my bother-in-law and the cat sit there eating it together. Now the cat has diabetes, and has to have insulin shots daily.
  14. You could be right; my friends could all think that I am odd and my gift choices are peculiar and they just haven't been unkind enough to say so. But if that's the case, they hide it well. They seem to be quite appreciative and I have even noticed more imagination creeping into their choices as well. I should add that I do keep my hostess gifts in the "hostessy" catagory, having to do with food, or entertaining, or small bits of whimsy for their home decor. I mean, I'm not showing up with beautifully-wrapped pairs of the hostess' favorite brand of panty hose or anything.
  15. Dear GT: Thanks a lot for that last post...I'm going to try both the Italian & the Chinese suggestions right away. You know, that whole North Lamar area is wonderful for authentic Asian food...small, inexpensive noodle shops, etc. Have you been to Kim Phung Noodle House on North Lamar? It's right next door to My Thanh Oriental Grocery. Really good cheap eats... it's been recognized by the Chronicle for many years.
  16. My Grandma, God love her, was a character to the end. She made great eggnog. I remember stealing sips of it directly from the fridge. At first, it tasted great....sweet, rich, creamy. Then, she'd do "something" to it, I wasn't sure what, and after that, it tasted horrible. Now I know what the "something" was....bourbon, brandy & rum. And I also know it's much, much better that way. As in so many things, it turns out Grandma was right after all.
  17. Funny how evocative the memories of a favorite food can be. Reading about it, one can almost taste it again. I lived in both the Philippines, and later, Panama. In both locales, we were lucky enough to have mango trees either right in our yard, or across the street. Cold ripe mangoes are wonderful, but the taste I most remember is green mangoes, with salt... tangy, wonderful. A taste not recreated since I left. Actually, hadn't even thought to look. Now, I will.
  18. For years, I have not taken wine, nor flowers, nor chocolates. It just all seemed so obvious. What I do is keep an eye out all year long for fun little fripperies in gift shops, markets, etc. I'd like to add that this seems like a lot of work, but it's really much LESS work than rushing around at the last minute trying to think of something to take. I just watch for stuff when I'm out on my usual day-to-day activities, bring them home and dump them into my "present" box. Then, when I'm invited, two minutes rummaging in the box and I'm on my way.
  19. Thanks for the Mojito alert. I'll try it soon with friends. I think most people would tell you right now that the best Italian in town is Vespaio. It's easy to overlook, on S. Congress, because it has no sign (or at least didn't the last time I was there). Also, because it really is quite good and they don't take reservations, you can have a lengthy wait. I don't like to wait, though, and I also don't like to miss out on good restaurants, so I just go at off hours....like 5pm or so...right after the restaurant opens, if it's only open for dinner. Or, if it's open all day, then I go for a late lunch - 2ish - like the Spaniards. I've eaten there many times and never had to wait more than a minute or two. Just long enough for a Campari at the bar. If you want plain ole' good ole' "American" Italian (traditional red sauces, lasagne, pizza, etc.), try Reale's on N 183. Prices are good; food is good. A really nice little neighborhood place. Don't be put off by the looks of the outside. When I first moved here, several people recommended it to me, but it took me nearly a year to actually try it because from the outside it just looks like an unatmospheric stripmall kind of a deal. Finally, after at least four or five recommendations from people I respect, I thought I might as well try it, and it was good. Run by transplanted NY Italian family. Fonda San Miguel is really good and you'll like it. It's also pretty. They have a great Sunday brunch...very popular. Manuel's downtown is good interior Mex also. Papadeaux on the east side of I35 just north of the 183 exit (you probably pass it every day on your way to and from Round Rock) is very, very popular for seafood, particularly Louisiana style....their Blackened Oyster Fondue (on the appetizer list) is what I usually order for my meal. I enjoy it so much that the way I eat it gives people the feeling they shouldn't be watching. Also, Giovanni's, in Round Rock, has a good reputation but I noticed on TV the other night that they failed their latest health inspection. Of course, that could mean that they're really on their toes now, and one of the cleanest places in town. Yeah...I didn't like Iguana Grill either. At all. It was loud and obnoxious and the food was wallowing in mediocity. I wouldn't call it "typical" TexMex. I'd call it awful TexMex. I like good TexMex and think that "typical" TexMex can be great. Try La Palapa. Or some of the restaurants in South Austin, or, best of all, Rosie's Tamale House...the one out by the lake, not the one on North 183. Get the Beef Chile Rellenos and beans and rice....and salsa and guac....there isn't that much cheese, and you can ask them to hold what there is. Seems to me their Rellenos come with a Ranchero sauce (tomato, onion, and green chiles) and just a little cheese. But whatever, it's wonderful. Good to have you here. I'll be looking forward to your posts.
  20. This gets worser and worser. I don't actually HAVE a curry tree. I was at "It's About Thyme" a few weeks back, browsing, and noticed a plant labeled "curry tree." Because I have seen the leaf mentioned in several recipes (and because I love curries in general), the name caught my eye and I asked them about it - how the plant does in Austin, etc. I didn't purchase it, though, and since it has been several weeks back, can't remember for sure if the leaf pictured in the website is the same. I did notice the botanical name was mentioned on the site, and will call "It's About Thyme" and ask.
  21. A quick addition on the matter of preserving leaves for cooking. I have both a Keiffer Lime tree and a friend who is a great cook. She uses those leaves frequently in her Thai cooking. She is also the owner of a decidedly brown thumb and although I have twice given her trees as hostess gifts, each has promptly died. I don't mind schlepping leaves over to her house whenever she needs them, but she says she doesn't want to impose (more likely she doesn't want me knowing every single time she's cooking Thai ). So occasionally I take her a few big handsful and she freezes them in water in old-fashioned ice-cube trays. She says they last indefinitely that way...suspended in their little frozen square homes. According to her (and I have no personal imperical knowledge one way or the other), the flavor lasts much longer this way than just putting them in a baggie and tossing them in the freezer.
  22. Alas, Survir, you have exposed me for the computer amateur I am. I cannot post photographs. I think the only way one can do that is with some sort of scanner, and I have none. Perhaps there is another way (like holding the photo up to the monitor screen and hitting the "insert" key) but, if so, I am unfamiliar with it. I suspect, however, that all of these "curry" plants have botanical names and if you can give me the correct botanical name of the desired plant, I can telephone the helpful folks at "It's About Thyme" and ask them. They are very knowledgeable and helpful, as herbs are their specialty.
  23. First, I commend you, Jaybee, for making an earnest effort to cultivate a taste for cuisines that are unfamiliar to you. So many people just revert to the usual and comfortable. Survir has lots of good suggestions, especially Tandoor. It seems to me that when sticking one's toes into a new experience, one is wise to begin slowly, with things that are closer to what one is accustomed to. Like Tandoori Chicken...it's frankly difficult to imagine anyone not liking that. It's not exotic at all. Start there and the rest will come along much faster than you imagine.
  24. AUSTIN CURRY LEAF ALERT... There is a great herb nursery, It's About Thyme, in South Austin. I was just in there a few days ago and they have curry plants, which do pretty well here. They have both the regular and the dwarf variety. 280-1192.
  25. Jaymes

    Thanksgiving Sides

    Thank you for the tip, Wise Master. I especially appreciate guidance from the Augustonians... As for A Balic...actually, I did wade in briefly, along about page 31 or so. eGullet is grand fun, but addictive. I'm going to need to join some sort of support group... when I get the urge to serial post, I'll call a fellow eGullet addict instead.
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