Food, Wine, Travel and Dining Out

Is it Spring Yet?

French vs. Washington Wine Tasting

French vs. Washington Wine Tasting

2008 Domaine des Malandes Petit Chablis**+ seashells, lemon

2005 Chateau Branda, Puisseguin St. Emilion, Bordeaux*** cassis, pepper, lilacs

2007 Chateau Bellevue, Fronsac, Bordeaux*** black fruit, blackberries

2005 Red Sky Syrah***+ pepper, jam

2006 Red Sky Cabernet Sauvignon***+ currants, black cherry

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Chateau Ste. Michelle, Woodinville

Chateau Ste. Michelle, Woodinville

2009 Ethos Reserve Merlot***+ cherries, spice

2009 Cold Creek Cabernet Franc*** black currant, clove

2008 Malbec*** raspberries, plum

2010 Viognier*** tropical fruit, floral

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Alexandria Nicole Cellars, Woodinville

Alexandria Nicole Cellars, Woodinville

2010 Reserve Viognier***+ citrus, melon

2009 Petit Verdot*** black currants, blackberries

2009 Malbec**+ chalk, wet stones

2009 Block 17 Syrah***+ plum, smoke ,cedar

Alexandria Nicole Cellars, Woodinville

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Around Town…

Lombardi’s Everett Waterfront - Happy Hour - Bianco Chicken Pizza

Lombardi’s Everett Waterfront - Happy Hour - Baked Tuscan Bread

Lombardi’s Everett Waterfront - Happy Hour - Spaghetti and Meatballs

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Snohomish Beer & Wine Specialty Shop

Snohomish Beer & Wine Specialty Shop - Artichoke Dip

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Fuller O'Riley's Irish Pub - Lake Stevens

Fuller O'Riley's Irish Pub - Lake Stevens - Fish and Chips

Fuller O'Riley's Irish Pub - Lake Stevens - Taco Tuesday

Enjoyed the tacos – very good

Home Cooking…

Cooking at Home - Braised Lamb, Mushroom Risotto with Rainbow Carrots - Braised Lamb Ragu made with Sojen Cellars Jolly Roger Port

xxx

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***

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*

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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

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.