SeattleGrrl

Thanks for the Tex-Mex tips, Mark. Northern Italian might be nice, and we like Spanish food as well. When I lived in Seattle, words like "vibrant" and "eclectic" were the kiss of death, but after a couple months in New Orleans, I'm dying for exactly that. The term New American comes to mind. Fish besides the craw and cat varieties would be nice, and Boy always goes for duck. I wish I culd be more specific, but my brain is clogged with roux. I don't want to spend more than around $100 for dinner (before tip). I appreciate any suggestions. Jenaya

My bf and I are driving from New Orleans to Austin on Fri to see Bobby Bare Jr. at the Mercury. We're staying at the Austin Motel (unless we get lucky with the waitlist at San Jose.) We're hoping for a full-scale food and drink blowout (within monetary reason.) I saw the big Austin thread below, but that's a lot of info for a non-local. Can y'all offer some rec's for my first time in Texas? I'd like to check out some good Tex-Mex. Also, is there anything interesting we should check out on I-10W or TX-71? Thanks, Jenaya

I'm moving to New Orleans in a couple weeks and I'm curious about the availability of specialty grocery products, such as cool lentils, asian products and obscure spices. Are there any food importers that have retail operations in NOLA? In Seattle we have a Pacific Food Importers outlet that sells bulk spices, lentils, rices, beans as well bottled products like olive oils and vinegars. Is there any similar places in New Orleans, or should I stock up on puys and belugas, etc before I leave? Thanks, Jen

Just out of curiosity, where are you staying? I had one of the best meals of my life at Pambiche. It's a Cuban restaurant - in what the concierge at our hotel said was a "weird part of town." It's a $6 cab ride from downtown. Beautiful empanadas, braised oxtails, fried plaintains. You could eat all night and not spend more than $75. You could even get away with being a vegetarian (Although I don't know why you would want to.) I wish I could give you more info, but I don't really have it. Time and pleasure have turned it all into a dream. I truly found this place to be a revelation. So did my fiance - he wants to move to Portland, just for this restaurant (well, that and Powell's.) P.S. Save room for dessert.

I love the Capitol Club! I just wish I could afford to eat/drink there more often. Random places I like: Madame K's in Ballard. Warm, red-velveted pizza place (21+ only) with a not-overly-cute brothel theme. Serves up great pies, plus this Artichoke Dip to die for. Salads are uninspired but fresh, and the Garlic Bread is thick ropes of pizza dough scented with rosemary and served with a big bowl of marinara. There's only one dessert - "The Orgasm", consisting of a warm homemade chocolate chip cookie with a scoop of vanilla ice cream. CitySearch's reviews would reflect a service issue, but I don't mind playing by their rules (no cell phones, parties seated only when all are present) and as a result, have always been treated splendidly. They also make a damn fine Berry Sangria. JaK's Grill in West Seattle. Neighborhood steakhouse without all the theater of your El Gauchos and such, at half the price (maybe even less.) Your choice of fabulous Smashed Potatoes or Potato Pancakes, and steamed veggies in butter, as well as a simple, well-dressed salad are included in the price of each meal. Steaks of every persuasion (Delmonico, Mignon, NY, whathaveyou) are impeccable, but for those not into red meat, there is also a damn fine stuffed pork chop and several well-executed seafood specials. Service is friendly and down-to-earth. Good wine list, good bartender, nice space. Boy and I can have dinner and wine for less than $60. Matt's in the Market in Pike Place. Sorry if this one's obvious, but it's just about my favorite restaurant, period. They call it northwest seafood with a cajun influence, but I just call it great. An extremely intimate setting, the place only seats about 25? For lunch you've got oyster and catfish po'boys and this amazing marinated anchovy salad with preserved lemon. For dinner, there's shellfish (clams piri piri!) to start, salmon and the like for entree and beautiful desserts of bourbon bread pudding and pot de creme. Thoughtful wine list, equally thoughtful suggestions from staff. Great view of the Market fron the window tables, or a great view of the cooking from the bar. Extremely respectful treatment of their ingredients - and they run it all in a "kitchen" the size of my bathtub. Getting a table can be a little bit frustrating, in the "we don't take reservations/except when we do" sort of way, but I think it's worth the trouble. Glo's and Green Cat Cafe on Capitol Hill. Two different breakfast options within a three-block radius on the west slope of the Hill. Glo's is a tiny diner serving up big beautiful breakfasts (orange poppy pancakes! huckleberry waffles!) with a line out the door. Sometimes Boy and I get up before 8 on a Saturday to get a table before the masses arrive to put their name on the list, and drink coffee on the sidewalk while waiting their turn for big plates of eggs, bacon, hash browns and damn fine coffee. I don't know about you, but I like my breakfast cooks covered in tattoos. And on that note, you have the Green Cat, a vegetarian cafe offering breakfast and lunch (they close at 5, I think), along with coffee and pastry to go. I usually have a huge plate of roasted potatoes smothered with cheddar, salsa, and sour cream. Like having nachos for breakfast, although last time I ate there my potatoes could have used another five minutes in the oven. Boy has the Huevos Rancheros and everytime "can't believe he's eating in a vegetarian joint". Also available are tofu and egg scrambles, fruit, yoghurt, granola. At lunch they make a mean black bean chili and I've had some nice polenta there as well. Service is okay, but wonky - a combination of counter and table service depending on the staff's mood. When the weather cooperates, there's a table or two on the sidewalk. God, I could go on like this forever. Y'all be sick of me in no time.

Ohmigosh, Wally's! I love that place. I grew up in Enumclaw, and in high school we would "cross the river" to Buckley to load up on Wally's burgers and buy beer at the corner store down the road. Their fries are my favorite (I should say were, I haven't been there in five years.) and MsRamsey, I remember their shakes being wonderful - thick, creamy, and dairy, but not so thick you get a aneurysm trying to drink with a straw. We also used to eat at Big Daddy's all the time, but honestly I was always concentrating on those hip, edgy Auburn boys. Thank you for bringing about such great memories!!