My old roommate, who graduated in December, came to visit Austin a couple weekends ago. She’s a major foodie, so on the top of her list of things to do in ATX was eating at local places, almost all of which have been written about  on this blog! I figure that have maybe 3-5 more years of uninhibited, gluttonous feasting before my metabolism  slows down and I’ll have to start eating healthy and exercising regularly. But until then…

Check out the places we hit in the morning.

Flip Happy Crepes:

Juan in a Million:

After saying hi to our friends having a BBQ at Zilker, we hit up Food Heads (note the high-waisted elastic skirt):

…and, as noted above, we stopped by Sno Beach. Here’s what my friend Cynthia has to say about it:

We made a pit-stop at home…to make cheese-cake brownies:

…and ended the night by eating at some of the trailer park eateries on South Congress, Mighty Cone, Roppolo’s, and Hey Cupcake! Here’s a pic of us outside MC:

The next day we eat tons of fruits and vegatbles to cleanse our systems. (Just kidding. We had Church’s fried chicken, mashed potatoes, honey buttered biscuits, and macaroni and cheese.)

My friend Rach explains how it works…

Sno-Beach is an Austin icon, and opens up when temperatures hit the 70s. There’s also one on Barton Springs Road – perfect for a refreshing snack on the way back from a day at Barton Springs.

The video below really showcases my (lack of) technical skills…but if you don’t mind a lopsided look click to see what the sno-cones look like!

More photos after the break…

Flavor being added to the shaved ice - I chose 'watermelon'.

Sno-Beach on Guadelupe and 34th in Austin

Interior of Chez Zee

So Sunday rolls around when my mom is here one weekend and after a shopping spree and Big Lots for the essentials, we decide to try out a hip restaurant off of 2222 called Chez Zee!

It was hard to find a parking spot for the first 10 minutes, but once we found one we walked to the hostess desk to put our name down through a ivy vined tunnel laced with Christmas lights and dangling miniature disco balls. Very interesting first impression.

The hostess was rude to say the least. She was not happy to be working on a Sunday I suppose. The place reminded me of a collector’s haven from the 70′s. The piano player was playing 70′s music, there were mini disco balls hanging everywhere.

It took us about 20 minutes to get a table. Once we sat down we knew that mimosas were a must: two champagne glasses with fresh-squeezed Orange juice with a strawberry on the rim for garnish. It was wonderful, but a bit pricey for $5 a piece when there was only enough to barely quench your thirst.

My mother and I decided to order their eggs Benedict. I ordered the Canadian bacon and my mom ordered the portobello mushroom Benedict. Each entree comes with skillet potatoes and a croissant with raspberry cream cheese.

My entree was awesome. I really did not care for my mom’s because I don’t like to mix breakfast with asparagus and peppers. I am weird like that though. She tried to give me a sample and ended up dropping one of her eggs Benedict on the table making a huge mess and it was really embarrassing.

Courtyard

Another thing that I really liked about the restaurant was that the piano was a fire engine red Baldwin with puzzle pieces on the top. It seemed that the piano was the center of attention of the restaurant because everyone was singing along with the well-known songs being played such as Queen, Mama and Sweet Caroline. Check out their piano schedule.

The bill ended up being around $50.

I would definitely recommend trying this place out. It was by far the best brunch I have ever had.

I also hear they have a great dinner and lunch specials.

They also have a bakery with some great things to buy on your way out after your meal.

That is all

Photo from: northmetro.blogspot.com

When you arrive, the wait staff will walk you through the kitchen on your way to the table. And if you are lucky enough and request it, you could sit in the kitchen!

Photo from Buca di Beppo

The food is served buffet style.  Each item on the menu either comes in small or large.  Small is typically for 2-3 people and Large is for 4-6.  In my opinion, the quantity of the food is definitely worth the price.  However, depending on what you get, it can get a little pricey.  Also, during their lunch hour, they serve personal portions.

Photo from Buca di Beppo

Buca is located right off 183 and Mopac.  It is right next to the Dave and Busters!

Enjoy!

I filmed her and Stevi making it last night in the kitchen of “future house” where my friends live. It’s kind of a crazy video because there were about 10 people (and a dog!) running the kitchen/house at the time.. but I think that makes it interesting. 

caution: my voice is semi-annoying, I apoligize

click here for the whole recipe!

It tastes SO much better than it looks here! She wouldn't let me dig in because she had to use the cake for a project at school

From autodesk.blogs.com

Sam’s last post had me thinking about my favorite place to go for BBQ: Rudy’s. I think that the deliciousness of their melt-in-your-mouth extra moist briskets (and the equally delicious jalapeno sausage links) is in the sauce, which is the perfect combination of smoky, sweet, and spicy. However, what I hear people talk about most when the name Rudy’s gets brought up is their cream corn. It’s pretty much a heart-attack in a styrofoam cup, but it’s definitely well worth an extra lap or 2 around the track. Check out the rest of their menu here.

The atmosphere is super chill; you get up to the cashier to order your food,  sit down on their picnic benches (indoors and outdoors), and bus your own table when your’e through. And this may sound silly, but try out their hand jacuzzi when washign your hands (you’ll know what I’m talking about when you get there). It’s super fun!

Note: First-timers can get a free sample of anything before deciding on what to get! Check where the nearest location is here.

I take Mae West’s words to heart when it comes to food.. although I’m pretty sure she was talking about something else.

I’ll try any type of food once… I’ve eaten anything from oysters and raw fish to calf fries (sometimes called Rocky Mountain oysters.. yep cow testicles) and alligator. And if I like it, I’ll always go back for seconds and thirds! 

Recently I tried Indian food for the first time at ClayPit–Grill and Curry House. I’ve always passed by the big stone building while driving downtown on Guadalupe St, but I’ve never really fancied spicy rice foods until my friend recommended the restaurant as a must. Plus this food blog gives me the excuse to go eat at ANY new place!!

photo from austin.decider.com

“The original Clay Pit was started in Austin, Texas, in 1998, and has received local and national recognition as one of the best Indian restaurants in the country.” As well as reigning best Indian restaurant in Austin for the past four years.

ClayPit offers a varied menu of contemporary Indian and Pakistani cuisine. I started with the Curry Crab cakes and then moved on to the mild Tikka Masala curry w/ tomato-based butter cream sauce seasoned with herbs & spices and chicken. My date ate a Boti Kebob, a stick of tender morsels of lamb marinated in fresh herbs & yogurt, roasted in our clay oven and it was REALLY good.

ClayPit

I didn’t think I’d be a big fan of the curry, but it wasn’t so bad… Although, I don’t think I’ll be tasting it for thirds “to make sure.”

However, I will make my way  to ClayPit again bc the atmosphere was super cool and modern. I loved sitting on the ground and eating with my hands, something about it felt primitive yet sophisticated (if that makes any sense?)

Check out other reviews here