TripAdvisor Review Archives 11 -- 2016

Alamo DraftHouse Lakeline (Cedar Park, TX) – January 2016

We’ve been going to the DraftHouse (various locations) for years, so we’re familiar with the drill.  Ordering our tickets online was easy, and having the electronic copy downloaded right to my phone was nice.  I ordered my regular bowl of fries with queso, and the server commented so I didn’t want it with the bacon, sour cream, cilantro and other stuff.  I told her no, just as I’d written on my order card, “fries with queso.”  The server seemed unclear as to what I trying to order.  What the server was referring to was a different item on the menu, so why she may’ve just been trying to clarify, I’ve never had my order questioned like that before.

When the runner (who was not the server) brought my fries out, I asked if we could get some utensils (as we hadn’t been provided any yet).  My order was correct by the way, but I had to ask two other times to have utensils brought (writing it on an order card).  By the time they arrived, my meal was cold.  I ate it anyway, because it was what I ordered.

My date got the buffalo chicken pizza, but it didn’t even have a real buffalo sauce, and the chicken wasn’t cooked properly.  She reported it was like an entire bottle of siracha had been poured on it, thus it was completely inedible.  I even tried a bite, and was pretty horrible.  She sent it back, and got a bowl of queso fries like I had.  Later during, after our bowls had been finished, the runner deposited another bowl of queso fries at our table, something we didn’t order.  Didn’t know if that was an apology for the earlier order error, but we weren’t charged for it.

There were no comment cards available to note this.  And when we departed (while my date was in the bathroom) I looked around for a manager, and none was available.  The only staff I saw were the very-busy people behind the ticket counter.  Now as far as the movie-watching experience goes, that was good, as we had comfortable seats.  But we’ve never had such a poor food experience here.

Mighty Fine (Arbor Walk, Austin, TX) – January 2016

We wanted to get a quick lunch, and my girlfriend had never been to a MF location before.  She’s not a “fast-food” person, but liked the idea of supporting a local business.  I’ve been going here for years, so I knew to order my cheeseburger “red” and get a chocolate milkshake, and I helped my GF get what she wanted.  She went for a regular burger and fries in order to try it out.  Overall, she thought it was “okay,” she found it filling but not spectacular.  She was glad she got to experience something that she hadn’t before, but it wasn’t her thing.  I still found the quality to be as good as I’d had many times in the past.  Even though my GF didn’t feel it was “mighty fine,” I’ll still be coming here because I like it.

Texican (Lakeline Blvd, Austin, TX) – January 2016

After spending the day at the local science museum, I wanted to introduce my girlfriend to one of my favorite Tex-Mex places.  Even though there’s patio seating, we opted for indoors.  I got my usual El Paso enchiladas (sacking the beans for extra rice).  My GF previously had eaten Tex-Mex food that didn’t agree with her, but was chalking it up to the previous venue she was at.  She got the enchiladas Verde, and really enjoyed the quality of the meal.  She understood why this was my favorite places in Austin to dine, and looked forward to coming back here many times with me.  The service and quality of this Texican location has always been top-notch, and I’ve never had a bad experience here.  That’s one of the main reasons why I keep coming back.

California Pizza Kitchen (Domain, Austin, TX) – January 2016

My girlfriend and I were in the Domain shopping, so planned to have our lunch here.  It had been a little while since I’d been there, and my GF (who frequented the Microsoft store next door) had never eaten there.  I was glad to notice the interior was as clean and warm as I recalled, and the wine selection was still very good.  My GF enjoyed it, as it carried her favorite (J. Lohr).  We each got our own ten-inch pizza so we could share with each other.  The Works had a decent flavor, but I found the Original BBQ Chicken pizza to be the excellent taste explosion as I remembered.  Considering the location, there are many fine establishments one could go to, and this was one of my recommendations.

Brio (Arboretum, Austin, TX) – January 2016

We’d come here for our anniversary dinner, and since it was a Tuesday night we didn’t have wait for a table.  While the layout is very open, there are a number of soft surfaces (carpets, table cloths, and plush chairs) to help absorb the noise, so even when full this is still a quiet area.  The server was had was very friendly.

The Sliced Steak Bruschetta served as our appetizer, and for the main course we got the soup of the day and the Caesar salad (as we were eating light).  Paired with a glass of 19 Crimes wine, the meal was quite delicious.  This venue is a little more on the expensive side, so it serves as a good “special occasion” location.

There’s a bar which we’ve previously frequented, so if you want to just stop by for a quality wine you can do so.  A variety of wines are available both by the glass and by the bottle.  On our first visit, our server was kind to let us sample a couple until we located a wine we liked.

Tarka (IH-35, Round Rock, TX) – January 2016

While this is my most-frequented location of this Austin-based chain, I have been to other locales, and noted the quality has been good across the board.  My girlfriend loves Indian food, and had never experienced this, so it made since to introduce her to it.  I got my favorite chicken vindaloo while my GF ordered the chicken kabob.  Everything was made-to-order, and came out hot and fresh.  This place got high marks from my GF both because of how well the food was, and the fact it was a local business.  I’ve never considered this “fast food” but “great food which comes out fast.”  While great for a light dinner, this is an excellent destination for lunch considering the speediness of the service.

The Pub (Anderson Mill Tavern, Anderson Mill Road, Austin, TX) – January 2016

Years ago this was known as “Anderson Mill Tavern,” and I recall the venue not being best for both drinks and live music.  As time has changed, this has vastly improved.  The stage is situated at the back of the main room, and the acoustics are good no matter where you might be.  The bar is situated to one side, so those patrons who didn’t wish to listen to whatever live music playing aren’t in the way of those who were present for that.  With the location being at the corner of a strip center, there’s a lot of available parking as the neighboring businesses have closed.  While this was a good venue for local music, I did notice that once the bands took the stage, the vast majority of the “regular patrons” left the establishment.  That was something very different than other venues I’ve seen bands at.

Kerbey Lane (IH-35, Round Rock, TX) – January 2016

We stopped here for dinner because it was close to where we were.  I asked for a regular queso, but was brought the Kerbey queso (which contained things other than cheese).  By the time our server came back with the corrected item, it was nearly time for our food to arrive.  My girlfriend ordered the Black Angus cheeseburger, and she was not pleased at the “bun to burger” ratio.  She needed to get rid of the bun completely in order to eat it.  I got the buffalo chicken sandwich (something which I’ve had a number of times in the past), but it still came with the cole slaw and avocado which I had asked to have removed.  I mentioned this to our server, and there was a half-hearted apology, and not an offer to send it back to have it corrected.  When we received our bill, there wasn’t anything noted on it to make up for the incorrect order.  We were under a time constraint, and I wasn’t able to locate a manager.  I’ve been a customer of Kerbey for many years, and a frequented the Round Rock location since it opened.  I expect occasionally to have something messed up, as we’re all human and make mistakes, but I judge a place on how they respond to a situation to correct it.  This was not up to the usual standards of my other visits to this location.

Satay (Anderson Lane, Austin, TX) – February 2016

This is tucked away in a plaza, so it’s hard to see from the main road, but it also means there’s plenty of parking.  While there’s a small patio seating area, the interior space was nicely laid out in order to provide an intimate but casual setting.  There were a lot of soft surfaces to help minimize the noise, but there were few patrons when we went (as we were ahead of the dinner rush).  We started off with an appetizer which sampled all the available flavors of the Thai dumplings, plus some beef and chicken skewers, all which were very good.

My girlfriend ordered the Pud Ped Ga Prao (with beef) which was a delicious stir-fry with basil and chili peppers.  I got the D.W.I. chicken (from the Asian Noodles section of the menu) and found the combination of broccoli and meat made a fabulous taste (although I found the tomatoes detracted from the taste, it was still very good).  We enjoyed all aspects of this establishment, and was a place we’d return to.

Sherwood Forest Ren Faire (McDade, TX) – March 2016

This has been a fixture in the area for a few years now, but this was the first time my girlfriend and I were able to go.  While some of the side roads off the highway still need some improvement in order to handle the traffic, the parking situation was well-handed.  The layout inside has many trees to provide much-needed shade in most sections (the arena being excluded).  The dirt path makes it easy to walk and easy on the feet, although does create some mud puddles here and there.  The food vendors and merchants are spaced out so the area doesn’t feel crowded.  The only quibble we had were the condition of the restrooms (the ones which weren’t a collection of porta-potties).  These were not cleaned on a regular basis, a few lacked paper, and some of the stalls were out-of-commission, which created longer lines.  Other than that, it was a great experience, and a good way to spend the day

Cedar Park Center (Route 183, Cedar Park, TX) – March 2016

I took my girlfriend to her first hockey game ever, and she was entirely absorbed the whole time.  She intently watched the action on the ice, and enjoyed the fast (and sometimes rough) action, plus the sudden-death overtime which happened.  Our seats were low, so we got to see everything up close.  The arena was open and airy, with lots of vendors and bathrooms within easy reach.  Parking was orderly.  When we got home from the game, my girlfriend immediately ordered tickets for the next home game (as looked at the possibility of getting season tickets), as she enjoyed it so much.

Brio (Arboretum, Austin, TX) – March 2016

My girlfriend and I stopped here for a nice lunch because we were in the area.  We only had light fare, which tasted great, and had the usual excellent service.  This has been why this place is something we’ve recommended to many.  We sat out on the patio, as it was a beautiful day to do so (on this Easter weekend), and we had the area pretty much all to ourselves.  At one point the chef even came out to talk to us, which we found a pleasant touch.  We did observe a number of other guests waiting for indoor seats during this time (and getting annoyed at the staff), when they could’ve easily solved the issues and sat outside.  Kudos to the staff for remaining calm when dealing with unruly patrons.

Bombay Bistro (Route 183, Austin, TX) – April 2016

It had been a rainy day, so my fiancée and I were looking for some comfort food, and we couldn’t beat some good Indian food.  We timed our arrival perfectly, so we were able to get in and seated before a large crowd came in.  Our servers were very good with keeping the water glasses filled, and inquire if we needed more wine.  The food was excellent, filling, and a great value.  The décor is simple but inviting, with a friendly atmosphere and great staff.

Amy’s Ice Cream (Arboretum, Austin, TX) – April 2016

My fiancée and I were looking for a tasty afternoon treat, and a place where we could sit and enjoy it, so this was the logical place to go.  The Amy’s location closer to us (Austinville) has limited outdoor seating, and was always crowded with high-school kids whenever we visited.  The Arboretum locale was much nicer with the nearby park we were able to sit at while we ate our ice cream.  My fiancée especially liked how the flavors could be tried, and found the Mexican vanilla to be top notch.

BB Rovers (Jollyville Road, Austin, TX) – April 2016

My fiancée and I were looking for a good burger for the evening, and we decided this was the place to go.  Prior to meeting each other, we’d both been here a few times, so we knew the level of quality we’d be getting.  She had the regular burger, and I the cheeseburger, both of which were juicy and delicious.  We’d arrived before the dinner crowd, so we were seated quickly and had excellent service.  There’s an extensive beer and wine list which covers a range of tastes.  The menu is also varied so it’s more “comfort food” rather than “bar food.”  With a clean interior, some outdoor seating, plenty of parking, and easy to reach from two major roads, this is a great place to go.

Long Center (Austin, TX) – May 2016

Cinderella was playing, and I’d never been to a ballet before, so when my fiancée asked me if I wanted to go, I looked forward to the new experience.  We were able to get tickets right in the orchestra section, so we had a great view of the stage.  The acoustics of the hall were excellent, as the sound filled the entire venue with a majestic fullness.  The performance was great, as it showed the skill of the artists.  There were two intermissions which allowed bio-breaks, a refill of wine, and a chance to step outside to see the Austin skyline after dark.  Parking was easy, and well directed (although upon leaving we were instructed to go a route which would require us to traverse some back streets until we could get back to Congress).  It was a great experience, both of what we watched, and where we were.

Maudie’s Milagro (Davenport Village, Route 360, Austin, TX) – May 2016

Since 2008 I have been coming here to have a meal around the time of my birthday.  This is a “special occasion” location due to scenery, and always relaxed nature of the venue.  I’ve always gotten good service here, which was one of the reasons why I’d come back.  When I went for my comfort food this year (my favorite dish, the Josie’s Enchiladas), the service wasn’t up to the same standard I’d gotten in the past.  We timed it right, so there wasn’t a long wait to get seated and the food came out promptly, but the service received was less than pleasant.  The meal was good, but our server was uncaring about us.  We were on the patio, and it wasn’t that crowded.

Russo’s New York Pizzeria (Stone Hill Center, Round Rock, TX) – May 2016

The group was looking for someplace good before heading out to a show, and this was recommended.  My friends knew the server we had, so we had some extra special attention.  Since I’d never been here before, I ordered chicken parm (which was what I used to gauge the quality of an Italian place).  The kitchen had gotten the orders crossed, so I had eggplant parm with the side I wanted, and one of the table-mates the opposite.  It was quickly noticed once we cut into our items, and the kitchen had to prepare new versions.  I was able to enjoy tasty mozz sticks as I waited.  The corrected dish came out in an appropriate manner, and it was decent.  It was an honest mistake, and something which was easily addressed.  That gives this establishment high marks for going out of their way to make sure a situation was resolved.

Frank Irwin Center (Austin TX) – May 2016

We’d come here to see The Cure.  Since there was a UT football game that night, the parking situation was a little crazy, but we were able to get a space close by.  The nature of the venue was designed so we could enter via any door, and it was easy to locate where our seats were.  There were vendors and restrooms spaced adequately about, so they were in easy reach when needed.  Inside the arena, the view of the stage was clear, and the acoustics were excellent.  The environmental controls also worked properly so it didn’t get too hot from the thousands in attendance.  Great place to see a show.

Brio (Arboretum, Austin, TX) – May 2016

My fiancée and I wanted to have a nice gathering with friends, so we recommended the place where we had our first date at (considering none of our friends had been here yet).  Since it was a Sunday afternoon, I used the online reservation service to secure our table (highly recommended for when planning something for a potentially busy dinner hour).  Once we’d all arrived, we were seated in a circular table that was spacious and allowed for conservation (plus the restaurant was normally pretty quiet to begin with).  There was a good wine selection (as we had a couple bottles), great appetizers, and excellent main courses.  Our friends were extremely impressed with the quality of the food and the service.  That high level of caring was something my fiancée and I had always received from here, and that’s one of the reason why we keep returning.

Fast Eddie’s (Highway 183, Austin, TX) – May 2016

This is primarily a pool hall, yet I’ve never picked up a stick in all the times I’ve been here.  I’ve only come to this place to see bands play, as there’s an excellent stage section with great acoustics for it.  The bar portion is easily accessible, plus there’s also an outside patio (on the front) and many dart boards (in the back) that don’t get in the way of those wishing to play pool or watch a concert.  We were here to see FireFlight, an excellent 80’s cover band made up of local residents.  The band is worth seeing every chance you get, and this is a great venue to do so.

Jenna’s Asian Kitchen (RR 620, Austin, TX) – May 2016

My fiancée had a craving for some good Chinese food, and I’d noted there weren’t any decent places in the area (much less in the Austin metroplex).  With a bit of determination, we found this listed on line, and since it had a scathing bad review from Austin Chronicle, we knew this was a place would be good and worth checking out.  I’d been to this building when it was North & South, and pleased to see the interior resembled nothing like that dark dingy environment.  Jenna’s was spacious, and had a warm and inviting modern element to the interior design.  It was a Saturday evening, but we didn’t have much of a wait, and the venue was only partially filled.

We started with the lettuce cups, and were amazed at not only of the amount of food in this appetizer, but the quality of the fresh vegetables.  For our main courses, my fiancée got the orange peel beef, and I had the General Tso’s chicken.  The menu was correct in saying “lightly battered” as it was a thin coating which didn’t overpower the taste of the meat.  We could smell the fresh orange from her dish, and I liked how the veggies crunched.  The portions were good, much bigger than you’d get for the same price at lower quality places nearby.  With a single visit, this became our new favorite restaurant in Austin.  This is a place we’ll be coming back to a lot!  Thank you for providing us with a great dining experience!

North (Domain, Austin, TX) – May 2016

I’d been here once before with friends, so when my fiancée wanted to go to a “nice place” for dinner, this one came to mind.  We were there on a Saturday evening, so having the reservation secured online (via OpenTable) was a smart idea.  The interior was clean, but it was noisy due to tables being within close proximity to each other.  While it didn’t echo, it was difficult for us to hear each other.  She ordered the New York Strip, and I got my favorite Chicken Parmesan.  The food was excellent, and everything was made well.  The pasta which came as my side was freshly-made.  Our server was very attentive too, so overall it was a good dining experience.  There are few places in Austin for good Italian fare, and this is the one which tops my list.

Pluckers (183 & Burnet Road, Austin, TX) – June 2016

I’ve been frequenting this location since 2004, and have always done my “birthday dinner” (for Club Members) here.  A place is gauged not by the problems it has, but how it gets resolved.  So I came in for my “birthday dinner” in May, and had such a rude experience from the hostess that I was not even able to get seated (much less eat).  It took two attempts to reach corporate management before I received a response from the store manager.  The store manager provided an apology for the attitude I received from the hostess, and offered to honor the “birthday dinner” even though the window of opportunity had passed.

So it was the next month before I could do the “birthday dinner” (better late than not at all).  As instructed by the store manager, I made sure to let my server know the situation.  My food was as good as it always was, and I thank Pluckers for rising to the occasion and demonstrating good customer service.  I was able to get in before the lunch crowd, and enjoyed my boneless basket.  The new spicy BBQ sauce was now available (as it had been being worked on the last month or two).  The new version of the sauce had more “spicy” than “BBQ” in the flavor, so I felt it didn’t balance properly (as the previous recipe had done).

Freda’s Seafood (Pecan Parkway, Austin, TX) – June 2016

I’d been here once previously, so when my fiancée commented there wasn’t a place for good seafood in the area, I recommended we go here.  Thanks to an online reservation secured through OpenTable, we knew we’d have a seat on a potentially busy night.  There were a few graduation dinners happening, but our server made sure we weren’t lost in the shuffle during this.  We could hear the live piano player from the bar area, which added to an already good ambiance of the venue.  My fiancée ordered the Chilean sea bass, which was one of her favorite dishes.  I was able to get the special of the night, rock lobster tail, which was something I’d missed due to lack of quality sea food places in the Austin area.  This was a great place for a romantic dinner for two, and was worth every penny we paid for the meals.  One of the nice things was the interior was designed to make use of the space, so it’s not every table in one noisy room.

Panera Bread (183 & 360, Austin, TX) – June 2016

We met some friends here for lunch, as it was close to the location of errands we wanted to run.  This isn’t a bad place for soup and sandwich fare, but not spectacular either.  The person who took our order didn’t seem to know the menu very well, and the food had the most minimal amount of meat as possible (quite contrary to the pictures displayed in the establishment).  I guess that made sense as this was primarily a *bread* location.  For a quick lunch when in the area, this is good because there’s no other destinations, but not a place you should make a special trip too.

Casa Blanca (Harriman Road, Round Rock, TX) – June 2016

My fiancée and I attended a wedding here, as it served as a good way to scope out a potential venue for us.  The grounds were nicely kept, there was a great view of Brushy Creek, and plenty of parking.  There was a building which was set aside for “inclement weather” which the venue felt was not something to be used on a day which was 90 degrees with over 80% humidity.  Because there was no air moving, it made the entire outdoor ceremony rather stifling.  Guests were removing ties and jackets as the bride and groom exchanged vows with sweat pouring down them.  The dining area was small, but sufficient for the number of guests.  The bar area was outside on a patio, and they refused to provide any water while we waited for the ceremony to begin.  And once the reception began, the outer doors were opened, which negated any air conditioning which might’ve been used.  It made it a rather miserable experience, and from information we got from staff it was “standard procedure.”  While good at other times of the year, this was not the time to have an event in a non-AC venue.  From these observations, my fiancée and I knew this would not be the location we’d choose to use.

Main Event (Highway 183, Austin, TX) – June 2016

My fiancée and I came here to play mini-golf initially, although the course wasn’t being very good.  The black light didn’t provide enough light to see where to hit the ball, much less walk without nearly tripping over obstructions.  On the fifth hole I had to stick my hand inside one of the structures to retrieve my lost ball (and found a couple more which were lodged in there), we decided not to complete the course.  Main Event was very good about just transferring my refund to a power card so we could enjoy skee ball and air hockey, so we ended up having a fun afternoon.

We came back a few nights later so we could bowl and have an adult beverage while doing so.  Reserving our lane online was easy, and we arrived at the required fifteen minutes prior in order to check in.  Because the counter-person decided to assist others while we were trying to get our shoes, we didn’t get our entire allotted hour that we reserved.  We would’ve liked to have the option to continue on this lane, since no one else had booked it, instead of having our session expire mid-game.  We liked being able to order appetizers there, but the quality was so-so.  Considering we still have to try the pool and rock climbing, there’s reason for us to return.

Chipotle (La Frontera, Round Rock, TX) – June 2016

We were running errands in the area, and were looking for a quick place to get a decent lunch.  I’d been here previously, as it fit the bill for “decent and quick,” and was better than any of the competitors next door.  The caring stuff which had been here previously weren’t here now.  I had a chicken bowl, which was okay, but it was a fight for my fiancée to have any toppings placed on her salad.  She almost ended up with just a bowl of lettuce and meat, as the servers grudgingly put other toppings on (and tried to charge extra).  The fountain beverage machine had some dried food particles to it (which necessitated us wiping it off prior to use), and the bathrooms were filthy with garbage all over.  That was mentioned to the server (as no manager was present), and we received an apathetic response.  This used to be a decent place to go, but not anymore.

TripAdvisor Review Archives 10 -- 2015

Hennessey’s (La Plaza, Dana Point, CA) – September 2015

We were looking for a place for lunch, and stumbled upon this located in a small shopping district.  Due to the experience I’ve had with the Seal Beach location, I knew this would be a good place for my party to have lunch at.  In comparison to the Seal Beach location, this one was more spacious, with a good-sized bar area, private room, and outdoor patio area, as well.

I ordered the grilled salmon which was very good.  The sides of potatoes and room temperature broccoli weren’t as good as they could’ve been to compliment the meal, but it was acceptable.  The rest of my group commented their dishes were good.  Service was good, although a little slow as it seemed the staff was short-handed today.  All things considered, my party enjoyed coming here as it was a nice relaxing place to get good food.  This is an establishment I’d love to experience how it feels in the evening when there’s a livelier crowd present.

Newport Landing (Newport Beach, CA) – September 2015

This place was recommended to us to have a snack while we waited for our harbor cruise to begin.  There’s a main dining area inside and a private room on the ground floor, plus seating available at the upstairs bar and patio.  The view of the harbor from the patio was nice, and it was a good place to relax and people watch.  The décor was nicely done, and the establishment was warm and inviting.

My party got appetizers and drinks while we waited.  I had a Bahama Mama, which was pretty decent.  The appetizer of chicken strips I got wasn’t what I expected for the price paid, as I thought I’d get more than two small pieces of meat.  It certainly wasn’t enough to share with the rest of the group.  It was too early in the day for us to have dinner, and considered the size of the appetizers, perhaps we should’ve.

Our server was nice, and the dinner menu appeared to have a good variety of dishes, so this would be a good place for a couples to go who want a nice evening out.

Mesa Rosa (FM 620, Austin, TX) – October 2015

We stopped by here for drinks, as it was late in the evening.  Since it was after 9 pm, the dinner crowd had thinned out, so we were able to sit out on the back patio.  The music coming from the speakers was a little loud.  Other than that, the area was comfortable, and our server was nice (as she kept checking on us to see if we were going to order food).  Scoping out the rest of the interiors, we could see if was clean and nicely designed having lots of small dining areas instead of one huge one.  The entrance to the driveway might be difficult to spot, but there’s plenty of parking available.  I’ve eaten at other Mesa Rosa locations, so I’m sure the menu quality is just as good as the others I’m familiar with, but this was a great place to stop and get a relaxing evening drink.

Cheddar’s (IH-35, Pflugerville, TX) – October 2015

My friend offered to take me out to dinner, and since it was her turn to pay, she picked the locale.  Neither of us had been here in a bit, and since it was a Saturday evening, it seemed to be the logical place to go.  There was a wait for our table, but it wasn’t unreasonable considering the time we were there.  Besides, it gave as a chance to sit outside on the patio, have a drink, and enjoy the nice weather.

I had a rum runner to start the evening, which was nicely made.  My meal consisted of the Buffalo Chicken Wrapper, as I wanted something light.  The server was nice to allow my side to be a salad, instead of the fries which normally came with it.  The meal was tasty and enjoyable, and hit the spot.

With this being clearly visible from IH-35, this is easily accessible and a good place to go.

Hurricane Wings (La Frontera, Round Rock, TX) – October 2015

I’d driven past this place a number of times, so it’d been on my list of new places to check out.  Since it’s tucked away in the LaFrontera complex, it has easy access from the highway and good parking.  The interior placement hadn’t changed much from the restaurant which used to be there, but having the covered patio area was a new addition.  And a good one.

I was attended by “Ninja Server,” also known as Alex, and she was fabulous.  Since this was my first visit, she suggested I try a couple flavors first, and I could do a different flavor for each set of boneless wings I ordered.  As the boneless wings were more of a “bite-sized” variety, I ended up ordering a set of ten with the hot BBQ sauce.  While tasty, it could’ve used a little more flavor spice.

One thing which I personally liked when looking over the menu was the rum of choice here was Cruzan (my personal favorite).  That means I plan to come back here at some point to savor the drinks.  This was a nice alternative to a different wing place in the area, so I’m glad I scoped it out.

Chili’s (Route 79, Hutto, TX) – October 2015

I arrived here to meet a new group of friends, as this was a venue they frequented.  Since it was located right off the highway, it was very easy to get too, and there was plenty of parking.  Our server enjoyed hearing us talk about various topics as he brought drinks and our entrees, and he commented here and there (which showed some genuine interest).  I ordered the mango-chili chicken, as it was light fare and primarily a protein dish.  It was very tasty, and just enough to hit the spot for dinner.  While I generally don’t go to national chains, this was a good choice for all parties involved.

Mama Fu’s (Route 183, Austin, TX) – October 2015

I gave my co-worker a ride home, as she offered to buy me dinner as payment.  Since we were in an area I used to live, it served as an opportunity to visit a place which doesn’t have a locale on my side of town.  It’s a national chain, but one which always provided good service to me in the past.  While visible from 183, it’s easily missed when driving on by, but once you know it’s there, it’s easy to get to.  Because it’s situated in a large shopping complex, there’s plenty of parking.

Our server was Kenny, who was good-natured about the friendly ribbing we gave him (and he gave some back in return).  That made the experience more fun.  I ordered the orange peel chicken, which was meat nice-sized meat chunks covered in a tangy glaze.  It came with brown rice, which nicely mopped up the remaining sauce.

The orange peel chicken was part of the “rice dish” line, which you you’re your protein and the style in which it’s prepared.  That allows a lot of flexibility for the guest to try different items on subsequent visits.  This was good food with great service, and is a place which I highly recommend.

Moonshine Patio Bar & Grill (Red River Street, Austin, TX) – October 2015

My friend and I came here for dinner, as we’d be leaving from this location for a ghost tour later on.  Because of where this establishment was, street parking was difficult, so the $6 for valet parking was well worth it.  We arrived there at 6 pm, and were surprised at the hour wait we were facing before being able to get a table in the dining area.  I’m sure the inclement weather keeping patrons from using the patio had something to do with this.

We were able to find a seat at the (crowded) bar, and it was a nice bonus that we were able to order menu items from there (as opposed to just getting appetizers).  Each with a drink in hand, we started off with the warm bacon dip and potato soup.

For the main course, my friend got the blackened catfish, which he rather enjoyed, but was still hungry afterwards.  I got the chicken fried steak, and was amazed at how huge the portion was.  I was only able to about two-thirds of it due to how filing it was.  I didn’t think the battered portion really complimented the taste of the steak.  The chipotle cream gravy was good.  Overall not only was the dish more than I was hungry for, and didn’t really tantalize my taste buds.  My friend ordered the fudge stout brownie, which was a plateful of rich tasty decadence that I helped finish off.

Ignoring the weather and the crowds, I rather enjoyed the atmosphere of the place.  A historic building which had been converted into a restaurant is a great idea even time I come across it.  The patrons were nice, and our bartenders were very friendly.  I recommend this for a couple looking for a special occasion place, as this would be a great location.

La Madeline (Lakeline Blvd, Austin, TX) – October 2015

My friend suggested we meet at this place, as it had a nice outdoor patio area to sit at.  Of course it was raining when we got there, so not the place to be sitting (we found a table by the fireplace instead).  This has a nice casual atmosphere of a quiet café.  There’s a wide selection of soup and sandwich options available, and I went for the chicken pesto sandwich and a side of soup, both of which were tasty.  What I really liked was the layout, as there were a lot of small sections with few tables, so it had the feel of individual rooms.  And this set-up kept the noise level very low.  Because this was located in the middle of a large shopping plaza, it can be difficult to locate a parking spot.

Newk’s (Jollyville Road, Austin, TX) – October 2015

What else can you say about a place which you’ve reviewed a number of times?  By the fact I keep coming back here (and keep recommending it to people), shows how good I think the quality of this place is.  We met here for a light dinner, as the menu provided enough variety for us to each get what we wanted.  With a large selection of sandwiches, soups, salads, and specialty pizzas, I’ve been able to enjoy different combinations on every visit.  My friend and I each got a chicken pesto sandwich, but with different soups; I had the chicken chili and she had the potato soup.  Everything came out quick, was at the appropriate temperature, and very tasty.

Bombay Bistro (Route 183, Austin, TX) – November 2015

There’s few places in the area for decent Indian food in the Austin area, and this is one of them.  Located in a shopping plaza anchored by an HEB, it has easy access from both 183 and Jollyville, and there’s plenty of parking.  Bombay Bistro is designed to have a bit more elegance than other places, so it’s the perfect place for couples to go.  I ordered by favorite chicken vindaloo, which was extremely tasty as it was prepared the correct way.  My friend got the tikka masala, which she found very good, as it was able to be made with no spiciness to suit her taste.

The servers were very attentive refilling our water glasses during the meal, but vanished once they removed the dished from our table.  We looked around, and didn’t see other tables being attended to either.  We ended up having to hunt down the host in order to take care of our check.  Overall, the visit was a good one, as the food was as good as it was the last time I had the opportunity to get here.

Longhorn Steakhouse (Route 1431, Cedar Park, TX) – November 2015

My friend and I went here for dinner because it was close by to where we’d been.  I’d been craving a good piece of chicken-fried chicken, and I thought this would be a good place for it.  Our server was attentive, but was a little-overwhelmed.  The salads came later than they should’ve, but were still received before the main course.

I’d asked for mashed potatoes as my main course’s side, and received fries instead.  The runners who bring the food out don’t know what was ordered, so when you tell them it was incorrect, you have to wait a period of time for your server to appear.  I had fries instead of mashed.  It wasn’t a big deal, and I mentioned it was incorrect, but not to worry about it.  (I preferred the mashed because it wasn’t fried, and generally tasted better.) Both the server and the manager (who came later) offered to bring me a side of mashed.  Since the fries would just be thrown out anyway, there was no reason to waste food.

But I wasn’t impressed with the main course.  I expected a chicken piece, but what I got were three “chicken tenders” which were heavily-breaded.  They tasted fine, but there was far less meat than I expected to have with this meal.  As far as chain restaurants go, I wasn’t overly impressed, and not high on my return list.  The food wasn’t bad, it simply just didn’t meet expectations.

Opal Divine’s Penn Field (South Congress, Austin, TX) – November 2015

My friend wanted to meet after work for a couple drinks, and since she’d never been here, this was a good choice.  She was a little late because she took the earlier driveway and turned into the strip-club next door.  I had let her know the sign for the correct driveway wasn’t as well light as it should be.

Since it was a nice evening, we were able to sit out on the patio, and shared an appetizer of queso.  Her margarita was quite good, but I wasn’t overly impressed with the cider choices available (as other Opal’s location have Woodchuck).

Since this was the middle of the week, the patio wasn’t crowded, and there were few smokers out there, so it made a nice atmosphere.  And even though the patio overlooks the road, there wasn’t much noticeable traffic noise.  For a place to relax for a drink in a leisurely atmosphere, I’ve found the other Opal’s locations to be great for this, and the Penn Field establishment met that expectation.

Rio Grande (Route 79, Hutto, TX) – November 2015

I met friends here for drinks one night, although they were having meals.  I’ve been the Pflugerville location of this establishment, so the menu was something I was familiar with.  The restaurant was tucked away in a plaza off the highway, so it could be difficult to spot if you didn’t know it was there.  It had good amount of parking, though.  The interior layout was broken up into smaller areas (as opposed to one huge dining room).  The service was good, and my drink came out without delay.  My friends reported their meal being very good.

Hea Cafe (Ben White Blvd, Austin, TX) – November 2015

When my manager wanted to take the leadership team out to lunch, our response was “wherever you wanted,” so we ended up at a place the manager liked.  Located in a small shopping plaza off of Ben White, it was pretty unassuming from the outside, but had a nice clean interior.  The staff was friendly, especially as my manager was a regular there.  Since this location served both Chinese and Viet cuisine, it was an opportunity to try something different.  I went for the bowl of stir fried noodles with chicken and veggies.  While my dish was hot (not spicy) and tasty, there wasn’t a lot of meat there.  The proportion of the veggies was double that of the meat.  So while the meal was good overall, it wasn’t as filling as I wanted.  But as the menu had a lot of other choices available, I could see returning here to try more things.

Cheesecake Factory (Arboretum, Austin, TX) – November 2015

It was my friend’s birthday, and she chose this as the place she wanted to be taken out to.  We arrived after the dinner rush, so it was only a short wait to get a table.  My date got the chicken & biscuits, which she said was very tasty.  I got the chicken enchiladas.  The dish was warm, but not very spicy.  The cilantro rice actually over-powered the taste of the enchiladas, so I couldn’t taste the meat or the cheese.  I didn’t see that wrong, as much as it was the way the dish was prepared.  Not caring for how it tasted does not equate to something being incorrectly done.  Our server was very nice, and the atmosphere here was elegant and casual at the same time.  We were dressed nice for the evening, but there were also people wearing jeans present.  This is a good place for couples to go.  Location is good, as there’s plenty of parking.

Red Horn Coffee House (Route 1431, Cedar Park, TX) – November 2015

This is a nice little coffee shop tucked away in a plaza by a busy intersection, so there’s plenty of parking space.  The interior space is open, with lots of seating areas.  That makes it a little noisy, because there were a lot of soft surfaces to muffle the noise.  There’s a small private room off to the side, which will hold about a half-dozen maximum.  So even when the band takes the stage, the sound echoes throughout the place.  In addition to a selection of coffees, there’s craft beer which is brewed here.  My friend and I had just had coffee as we chatted.  Overall, this is a good location, and it needs to be explored further just to sample the available beer.

Suvia Indian (Route 1431, Cedar Park, TX) – November 2015

My friend recommended we should go here for dinner, and since it was an Indian place I’d never been to, I was game.  While this was located in a plaza, there wasn’t a lot of parking available (as it had to share with the other businesses).  Inside was open, and small, so not a place where a large party could be accommodated.  My friend got the chicken tikka, and I had the chicken vindaloo.  She said her dish was decent.  The flavor on mine was okay, as all the elements were there, but something was lacking from the dish.  The spices perhaps weren’t as pronounced as other locales where I’d been to.  The food was okay, but it just came off as average or bland.  Since there aren’t any other Indian restaurants in the area, this does deserve another visit just to make sure it wasn’t an off night.

Monkey Nest Coffee Shop (Burnet Road, Austin, TX) – November 2015

My friend and I met here, as it was a place she knew well.  It’s a small building with limited amount of parking available, both of which fill up fast.  There were a few side rooms with small tables, but most of the patrons were packed into a central area really close to each other.  It was crowded, but the noise level wasn’t over-powering.  It was just more of a confined space than I expected.  The hot chocolate we had was okay, but not spectacular.  There’s a corner section with some comfy couches where a band would set up, which forced some patrons to move to other places (provided they could locate seats).  Location-wise, this is right along a busy street where there are a lot of residents who’d frequent this, so it’s a decent place to go if you live in the area.

Hat Creek Burgers (Burnet Road, Austin, TX) – November 2015

We were looking for a place for dinner, and my friend recommended this as she said it was a good place.  For arriving there on a Saturday night, it was strangely empty.  Both the indoor dining room and covered patio were sparse of patrons.  She ordered the Chicken Flashers with a side of fries, which she enjoyed.  I got the Big Hat cheeseburger with a chocolate milkshake.  The difference between the Big Hat and the Little Hat is deciding whether or not you want a single thin patty or two thin patties.  The burger was decent, and not too greasy as I expected.  The milkshake was thick, but could easily be drank without having to wait for it to melt a bit.  I found this a decent place to get burgers, and would recommend it to others.

Red’s Porch (South Lamar, Austin, TX) – December 2015

This place was recommended by my friend for us to go and get some late-night snacks and appetizers.  From the road you think you’re turning into a bank, but go all the way to the back to where the parking is.  The establishment is multi-level, each one being a patio.  Every level had a bar with TVs present, and covered outdoor seating to be able to enjoy the fresh air of the area.  There’s also a small side yard with picnic tables.  In addition to brew, this provides a decent menu of stuff (we looked at it, but declined on ordering).  What made this place really nice was a great atmosphere of both the employees and the patrons.  We really felt welcomed coming here, and that goes a long way.  This is a place worth checking out (especially in you live close-by, as this can be your regular hang-out location).

Cheddar’s (IH-35. Pflugerville, TX) – December 2015

I promised I’d take my friend out for a birthday drink, and this was where she chose.  Business was packed for a Friday night, so our wait for a table to get food was about 30 minutes (which was average for the time of day).  While it was nice being able to walk in get a drink at the bar, it was nicer to be able to sit at the outdoor patio area to enjoy them in a quieter environment.  The bartender didn’t know how to make a rum punch, he was able to do a good approximation by substituting the vodka for rum in the Passion Punch.  Very well done.  With our drinks we had the Triple Treat Sampler, and I thought the Wisconsin Cheese Bites were the best of the three appetizer items there.  Sure this place was crowded and noisy, but it’s not uncommon.  The layout was designed divide up the dining area so it didn’t feel like we were sitting in the middle of a sea of people.  We’ve frequented this place before, so we knew there were a lot of other good items on the menu.  While we like to go to local establishments, when we can’t this is a good substitute.

Five Guys Burgers (Arboretum, Austin, TX) – December 2015

I needed to grab a quick bite before a meeting, and the choices were limited where I was, so I came here.  The location of this establishment means there’s good parking, and the interior is spacious and clean.  I ordered a “regular” cheeseburger, as opposed to the “little” version.  The difference is solely the “little” has one thin patty, while the “regular” has two.  The patty was dry (not juicy in any way) and the flavor was bland, so while the meal was filling, the eating experience was unfulfilling.  It was a matter of convenience which had me purchase this McDonald’s quality burger (read: low) for the price for something I’d pay at better burger joints.  Next time I’m in this situation, I’ll be sure to go a little further out of my way for a better product.

Brio (Arboretum, Austin, TX) – December 2015

My friend suggested we meet her for drinks.  Sitting at the bar, we could tell how spacious and clean the establishment was.  This is geared towards more “fine dining.”  We just had wine, and the bartender was gracious to allow us to try some samples until we found ones we liked.  I was particularly fond of “19 Crimes.”  Other than the bartender, we didn’t have any interaction with the rest of the staff, but in our observation we could see a lot of courteous service.  There’s plenty of parking, and this is a place to go when some elegance is desired.

Art on 5^th (South Lamar, Austin, TX) – December 2015

Initially I was confused to where this was, due to the name, but stumbled upon its location when visiting one of the other businesses in the plaza where this could be found.  There’s plenty of parking available.  The specific Star Wars exhibit was only present for a limited time, while the Dr. Seuss and other works are permanently on display.  There’s no admission, which makes a nice place to spend an hour or so during the afternoon.  All the paintings are displayed so you can appreciate them up close, and look at the intricate brushwork.  Different styles and mediums are used, from oils to collages.  The Dr. Seuss portion has sculptures, although I was amused at their presentation of being “heads mounted on the wall.”  I thought it was in the Geisel hunting lodge for a moment.  The staff present in the gallery are very friendly and helpful to answer questions about the various pieces.

Kerbey Lane (South Lamar, Austin, TX) – December 2015

I recommended to go here for lunch to my friend when we were in the area.  He commented that he hadn’t been to a Kerbey Lane in about twenty years, since he’d previously been going to UT.  I knew what type of awesome quality we’d get, and my friend said the feeling hadn’t changed even though the menu had.  I enjoyed my requisite migas with queso.  He got the Boss Burger, the half-pound of Angus beef topped with all manner of goodness.  Sure it was messy, but my friend found it fabulous.  When I mentioned there was now a KL location in Round Rock near where he lived, he planned on going there on a regular basis.

Smash Burger (Lakeline Blvd, Cedar Park, TX) – December 2015

I was in the area, and stopped here to get take-out dinner before heading over to meet friends.  I’d never been here before, so it was an opportunity to try something new.  I decided to go for the Create You Own burger, and informed the server of what I wanted.  I ordered a chocolate milkshake too, which came out first and was very good.  My burger was wrapped up and in a bag, so I went out the door without even looking at it … which was my mistake.  All the veggies I’d requested (tomato, lettuce, and pickle) had been left off.  What I was left with was an okay patty with melted cheese and some BBQ sauce.  Not high marks for a first outing, and no opportunity for them to correct it (which would’ve happened had I eaten in).  It’s not high on my list to return to because the burger quality by itself wasn’t really that great to begin with, as it was dry and slightly-charred.

Pluckers (183 & Burnet Road, Austin, TX) – December 2015

My friend had never been here before, and she was concerned it was just a “sports bar.”  I assured her it was (in my opinion) the best place to get wings in Austin.  We sat at the bar, and got excellent service from Leroy.  I had my usual Boneless Basket, and my friend got five bone-in wings.  She thought those were fabulous, and found the atmosphere of the place very welcoming.  I’ve been coming to this location for a decade, and it continues to be one of best Austin establishments hands-down.  My friend enjoyed it a lot, and looked forward to coming back here with me.  I even made sure she was signed up as part of my Pluckers Club too.  This place has always been high on quality and service, and that’s why I frequent it.

BB Rovers (Jollyville Road, Austin, TX) – December 2015

This is a place I’d been many times to have a drink or watch a band, but I’d never actually eaten a meal there.  Since my friend liked the burgers here, she recommended we go.  I got a nice juicy cheeseburger which was delicious.  The fries were okay, but my friend liked the fries a lot, so she grabbed some of mine.  I already knew the drink selection was good here, as this was one of the first places in Austin that served my beloved Woodchuck Cider.  I was glad to know the food here was very good.  I fully expect we’ll come back here for some meals, as the service and atmosphere match the excellent quality of the food.