Visiting Austin Texas - February 2012 and Something for Music Fans

Austin Texas - February 2012

Maudie's Cafe Lake Austin

 Maudie's Cafe Lake Austin****
2608 W. Seventh, Austin
512.473.3740
www.maudies.com

Maudie’s Cafe is always the first place we go when in Austin, that said it all…

Maudie's Cafe Lake Austin - Beef Chile Relleno

Beef Chile Relleno*** taco beef, blended cheeses, ranchero sauce, pickled pink onions

Maudie's Cafe Lake Austin - Rock in’ Ruthann’s

Rock in’ Ruthann’s*** pulled chicken burritos, chile con carne

Maudie's Cafe Lake Austin - Fajita Tacos

Fajita Tacos**+ grilled fajita beef, rajas, guacamole, cheese, sour cream and pico de gallo

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Easy Tiger Bake Shop and Beer Garden – Austin Texas

Easy Tiger Bake Shop and Beer Garden – Austin Texas

Easy Tiger Bake Shop and Beer Garden – Austin Texas 

Easy Tiger Bake Shop and Beer Garden – Austin Texas

Easy Tiger Bake Shop and Beer Garden – Austin Texas

Easy Tiger Bake Shop and Beer Garden***

709 East Sixth Street, Austin

512.614.4972

http://www.easytigeraustin.com/

Easy Tiger Bake Shop & Beer Garden serves house-made breads and sausages, sandwiches, craft beers, wine and cocktails. Chef Andrew Curren (of 24 Diner and Top Chef: Texas fame) is behind the meats and eats, while David Norman supervises the bread, baguettes, pretzels, rye and more. The beer garden is downstairs along Waller Creek. We stopped for lunch and a visit to the beer garden.

Easy Tiger Bake Shop and Beer Garden – Austin Texas - Baguette, Pretzels and Beer Cheese

Baguette, Pretzels and Beer Cheese***

Easy Tiger Bake Shop and Beer Garden – Austin Texas - Sausage of the Day Lamb sausage and Potato Salad

Sausage of the Day*** Lamb sausage and Potato Salad

Easy Tiger Bake Shop and Beer Garden – Austin Texas - Classic Bratwurst (Pork, Veal) Pretzel Bun, Mustard and Potato Salad

Classic Bratwurst (Pork, Veal)*** Pretzel Bun, Mustard and Potato Salad

Easy Tiger Bake Shop and Beer Garden – Austin Texas - Baguette Sandwich Salami and Beer Cheese

Baguette Sandwich**+ Salami and Beer Cheese

Easy Tiger Bake Shop and Beer Garden – Austin Texas - Baguette Sandwich Ham and House Mustard

Baguette Sandwich**+ Ham and House Mustard

Nice lunch, of course the breads, buns and pretzels were excellent...

Easy Tiger Bake Shop and Beer Garden – Austin Texas*

Easy Tiger Bake Shop and Beer Garden – Austin Texas*

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Shoal Creek Saloon – Austin Texas

Shoal Creek Saloon – Austin Texas

Shoal Creek Saloon – Austin Texas

Shoal Creek Saloon – Austin Texas

Shoal Creek Saloon – Austin Texas

Shoal Creek Saloon***

909 N. Lamar, Austin

512.474.0805

http://www.shoalcreeksaloon.com/

Shoal Creek Saloon – Austin Texas - Shoal Creek

Shoal Creek Saloon sits on the bank of Austin's Shoal Creek. We stopped by to past the afternoon away. The sun was out so why not? 

Shoal Creek Saloon – Austin Texas - Peel and Eat Shrimp 

Peel and Eat Shrimp*** large gulf shrimp served with house cocktail sauce

Shoal Creek Saloon – Austin Texas - Stuffed Jalapenos 

Stuffed Jalapenos**+ stuffed with cream cheese and served with ranch dressing

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Crab Shack - Austin Town Lake – Austin Texas

Crab Shack - Austin Town Lake – Austin Texas

Crab Shack - Austin Town Lake

600 East Riverside Dr.
512.441.1010

Crab Shack - Austin Town Lake – Austin Texas - Crispy Calamari 

Crispy Calamari*** Hand-breaded calamari with herb marinara sauce for dipping

Crab Shack - Austin Town Lake – Austin Texas - Bucket of Dungeness crab 

Bucket of Dungeness crab*** Cooked in garlic, herbs and spices

Crab Shack - Austin Town Lake – Austin Texas - The KJ Steampot

The KJ Steampot*** Snow crab, seared scallops, and mussels in a light Kendall Jackson wine sauce with hints of garlic, pepper

Crab Shack - Austin Town Lake – Austin Texas - Fish & Chips

Fish & Chips*** Flaky white fish in a classic Samuel Adams beer batter. Served with fries and coleslaw

Crab Shack - Austin Town Lake – Austin Texas

Now Something for Music Fans…

Crab Shack - Austin Town Lake – Austin Texas

While at the Crab Shack - Austin Town Lake a few music videos were being taped. The videos were being taped by a web based company (?) called ‘BALCONYTV Music with a View.’  BALCONYTV worldwide network started in a Dublin apartment about five years ago and has spread to over 30 cities across the planet…

Austin can be found at http://balconytv.com/austin

No wonder the the Crab Shack host balconytv. It has a wonderful view of down town Austin.

We saw two of the three videos being filmed that night. You can see them on YouTube or balconytv.

Crab Shack - Austin Town Lake – Austin Texas - Chase Cassaway and bacconytv.com

Chase Cassaway - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P3PF_pKvAH0

Nathan Hubble - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nbOe4hO_AM0

Crab Shack - Austin Town Lake – Austin Texas

I thing we need balconytv in Seattle, don’t you?

HipstaPrint Photos by R. Price*

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Check Out Our Picture Cookbook

A Picture Cook book...

xxx

drink.well. American Pub Austin, Texas

drink.well. American Pub Austin, Texas*

drink.well. American Pub Austin, Texas* 

drink.well.American Pub, 207 East 53^rd Street, Austin, Texas

http://www.drinkwellaustin.com/

drink.well. is an American pub opening soon in Austin, Texas. Proprietors Michael and Jessica Sanders believe that bars exist to serve people, not drinks, so stellar service will be priority #1 for their staff. They will feature craft beers, wines and spirits from across the United States and will provide a menu of sharable pub food.

drink well  American Pub, Austin, Texas - Proprietors Jessica and Michael Sanders with Architect Rick Price of Red Arc One

Their location is 207 E. 53rd Street. It's a great area with a few stops in walking distance of one another: Tigress, Foreign & Domestic, Epoch Coffee.

We stopped by the check out the location and were surprise to see the parking lot full. It is not scheduled to be open for another week. As luck would have it there was a special Spirits tasting hosted by Tim Master of Frederick Wildman and Sons. Good timing on our part. We especially enjoyed the Chartreuse liqueur Green with its intensely floral and herbal, and myriad of aromas and flavors attack the senses: cloves, fennel, citrus, thyme, rosemary, cinnamon, mace, pine...

Architects Rick Price of Red Arc One and Rick and Cindy Black created a modern space, which is both warm and whimsical. From the mural to the unique reused wheels used as standing tables.

drink well  American Pub, Austin, Texas - Architect Rick Price of Red Arc One

Great space, owners and staff, can’t wait for the opening…

drink.well. American Pub Austin, Texas 

drink.well. American Pub Austin, Texas

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drink.well. American Pub Austin, Texas*

drink.well. American Pub Austin, Texas*

drink.well. American Pub Austin, Texas - Michael Sanders Proprietor*

drink.well. American Pub Austin, Texas - Janet with Chef Roble Ali of the Bravo Chanel*

Janet and Chef Roble Ali of the Bravo Chanel talking about Janet’s Cookbook, the diversity of Bechamel Sauce and the fun of home cooking…

drink.well. American Pub Austin, Texas - Michael and Jessica Sanders Proprietors*

drink.well. American Pub Austin, Texas - Chartreuse liqueur Green*

drink.well. American Pub Austin, Texas - Fireman’s 4*

drink.well. American Pub Austin, Texas – Janet and Jerry of Food, Wine, Travel and Dining Out Blog*

*HipstaPrint Photos by R. Price

Check Out Our Picture Cookbook

A Picture Cookboo

xxx

Woodinville's Hollywood Hill Vineyards Tasting Event at Wicked Cellars – Plus Visits to Lucky Dragon Chinese Restaurant, Lake Stevens

Woodinville's Hollywood Hill Vineyards tasting at Wicked Cellars hosted by Jeff Boyer from Small Lot/CBC Distributing.

Woodinville's Hollywood Hill Vineyards Tasting Event at Wicked Cellars
( With a friend of Wicked Cellars)

Hollywood Hill Vineyards Steve and Becky Snyder started their family-owned winery in Woodinville in 2005, with a vision to produce small lots of elegant, balanced wines. They currently produce 1200 cases of Rhone-inspired and Estate Grown wines in their renovated, detached garage and barn.

Their winery, located on Hollywood Hill in Woodinville, is surrounded by Pinot Noir and Chardonnay vineyards. They source grapes from several other sites in the Puget Sound AVA as well as premier vineyards in Red Mountain, the Wahluke Slope, the Horse Heaven Hills and the Rattlesnake Hills in the Columbia Valley.

Their Tasting House is open on the weekends and is located just down the hill from their winery in the old brick Hollywood Hill School House.

2010 Horse Heaven Hills Roussanne***+ pineapple, coconut, long

2009 Puget Sound Regent**+ Fruit, tar

2008 Cabernet Franc, Portteus Vineyard, Rattlesnake Hills**+ dark cherries, blackberry

2009 F-Stop Aperture Red Wine***+ dark red fruit, chocolate

2009 Horse Heaven Grenache*** strawberry, hint of pomegranate

2009 DIst83 Blend**** berries, candy, black fruit

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Lucky Dragon Chinese Restaurant Lake Stevens

Lucky Dragon Chinese Restaurant Lake Stevens

Lucky Dragon Chinese Restaurant Lake Stevens - The Restaurant

Lucky Dragon Chinese Restaurant Lake Stevens - The Lounge

This was our first visit to Lucky Dragon Chinese Restaurant. The have been located in Lake Stevens for approximately seven years. Lucky Dragon offers Szechwan, Human and Mandarian cuisine.

Lucky Dragon Chinese Restaurant Lake Stevens - BBQ Pork

Lucky Dragon Chinese Restaurant Lake Stevens - Deep Fried Prawns

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Check Out Our Picture Cookbook

A Picture Cookbook





Washington Wine Tasting - Bonny Doon Vineyards

Wine Tasting - Bonny Doon Vineyards
with Ray Bloom of Vinum Wines

Saturday wine tasting with Ray Bloom

 Based in the Santa Cruz Mountains of California's Central Coast, Bonny Doon Vineyard was founded by Randall Grahm in 1983. It was among the first Californian wineries to embrace Rhone varietals and earned Grahm status as a founding "Rhone Ranger."

 Known for its wildly untraditional labels, including illustrations by Ralph Steadman, Grady McFerrin, and Gary Taxali, the winery continues to innovate by embracing lesser known Italian varietals, screw caps, and biodynamic production.

 2010 Vin Gris Cigare Rosé***+  strawberry, apple, watermelon

 2009 Cigare Blanc***+ pear, lavender,silky

 2010 Clos de Gilroy***:-) fruity, spice

 2009 Contra*** black fruit, current

 2008 Syrah "Le Pousseur"*** black cherry, red current

 2007 Cigar Volant**** red fruit, herbs, earth

Don’t forget their appetizers

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