I am going to be honest here….I DO NOT like nor do I trust Asian cuisine, I just don’t.  I can’t be diggin’ on a place that hangs naked ducks in the windows (Enticement?  I don’t think so.) or on a cuisine that insists on showering everything on the menu in fish sauce!

I’ve had my eye on Pho Dan since moving to our new neighborhood about 6 months ago.  Occassionally perusing the Yelp reviews, keeping my ears open for any mention of the name, and most importantly keeping my eyes peeled when I drive by (because sometimes you can judge a book by it’s cover!).

Flanked by a wall of windows and a bright, cheery modern, hotel-esque interior, Pho Dan looks clean, it smells clean, and most importantly, the food on the tables is all recognizable (for the most part).  In my book, that’s a good start for an Asian establishment, and trust me, I’ve walked out at this point. 

We ended up ordering our food to go, which proved ok because it was delicious by the time we got it home.  I had the tofu spring rolls (2.5) which were fresh and crisp and came with a homemade peanut and a homemade red pepper sauce.  The rice paper was delicate and firm and fresh and all of the interior ingredients were equally satisfying.  Amigo had the veggie egg rolls (2.7) which were fried to a perfect, crispy light brown and served with a light, homemade carrot/sweet and sour sauce.  For dinner we each had the vegan, tofu noodle soup (small – 5.2, large – 6.2).  The noodles were perfectly steamed, not clumpy, and the vegetable broth was clear, fresh, and smelled fresh rather than canned.  The tofu was seared golden brown and came with a side of mixed white onion and cilantro, bean sprouts, and thai basil.  One serving is enough for three meals for me, and probably two for the average male. 

Other positives;

Delicious Jasmine Iced Tea

Clean & Well Equipped Restrooms

Easy parking

I have been waiting to review Ross’s and it’s not an ideal time now because I am starving…but, I will go ahead and get it done!

I had gone to Ross’s once back in early 2001 or so, and since moving to a more centrally located spot in town, I simply (and oh so sadly) totally forgot about this gem!  From the moment you pull into the parking lot, it’s assured that this is going to be a pleasant experince.  There is a large stage outside (dog friendly) circled with worn picnic tables and a covered front porch for when the weather doesn’t exactly comply.

Walking in it’s evident that this is a family run joint…clean, friendly staff, and the smell of homecooked goodness spilling through the door.  The salad bar is fresh and clean, the pie cooler the same.  PIE COOLER!  Delicious burgers, amazing grilled cheese sammies, amigo really enjoyed his steak, the BEST baked potatoes and positively the coldest beers (and mugs) in town! 

Dear Ross, I am so sorry that it took me so long to return.  I promise to never leave you again… 

And for all of you Austinites that need a reference point – Ross’s is a billion times better than Threadgill’s.  Yep, a billions!

Nom Nom Nom!

A friend (and talented family member of the GBJ family) has started a blog of her own about the city that SHE loves….HOTlanta!  <3 Atlanta is a delicious collection of her favorite spots in her favorite town.

It’s true, our clan is passionate about many subjects, but the city in which we live seems to play favorites; the food, the music, the people, the sights….did I mention the food???

While GBJ has gone from celebrity gossip to travel to food, and basically all over the interwebs map, it has come full circle and is now mostly about the city I love most…Austin, Texas!  However, I definitely encourage you to stop by the <3 Atlanta website and give Lauren and her crew a big warm hug and a friendly wave from whatever town you live in and hopefully it’s the town you love the most.

Enjoy!

Chinese food is something that can be great if you know what you are eating, but it can sometimes be a bit overwhelming if you don’t have much experience of it. One of the things on the menu that can really bamboozle you is Dim Sum, however once you have tried these little parcels, you are very likely to not want to stop. Dim Sum basically consists of a variety of different types of dumplings and steamed dishes, as well as some that have been fried. Making Dim Sum is a true culinary art, which you will see if you order it. Different foods such as vegetables, meat or fish have been cut into mouthful-sized pieces and wrapped up into little parcels. Using various edible layers.

You can order them in a Chinese restaurant, but if you are really serious about trying the true variety of Dim Sum that is available, then you may like to try an establishment that is dedicated solely to making Dim Sum. They are small enough that if you manage to make them at home, or buy them from somewhere to take away with you, you can simply eat them as a snack while playing Partypoker. However, it is great fun to go out to eat so that you can experience the amazing choice that Dim Sum restaurants carry.

Dim Sum parcels include the Shrimp Dumpling, a thin wheat starch skin that has been filled with a whole or chopped-up shrimp. Another type is the Char Siu Baau, a steamed, baked or fluffy parcel with a light sugar glaze. This is very popular and contains a Cantonese barbecued pork filing. There are so many other types of Dim Sum, including some great options for vegetarians. To gain a proper impression of the true variety of Dim Sum, you should try it out for yourself, ideally in an authentic Dim Sum restaurant.

That’s right, it’s official, Amigo and I are expecting a mimi-amigo in December.  A) thank you, Universe for not having me be 9mos pregnant in August or September and B) I pretty much basically feel like shit all of the time.  I am hoping that this sickness ends soon and that I can just go ahead on with my bad self and continue to rule without having to stop to puke every other step of the way! 

I am unsure as to how (or if) I want to incorporate this special news into GBJ, if there is anything remotely interesting about pregnancy to those who have never been or plan to be, or if this is even the right vessel to do that. 

Alls I know is that so far this whole experience is pretty fuckin’ weird (and raw….and amazing…and gross…..and……).  I do know that I need to stop talking like a truck driver, eat more fruits and veggies, and stop smoking so much crack. 

If any of you have any ideas as to what you would like to see here, please do tell!  All (er, most) of your opinions count.  Also, don’t forget to keep up with the BASICally blog which you can find here……

Until then, give me a hot minute to figure out what I’m gonna do here and enjoy reading past material if you must!

ps, I know I have readers out there because Google Ads finally gave me a check! 

Word,

GBJ

My #1 amigo and I decided to treat ourselves to dinner this past weekend.  One of our favorite past times, besides the actual action of stuffing our faces, is to try new restaurants!  Considering that we moved merely a month ago, we have been encountering mucho food in suburbialand….

Friday, we decided to try Zed’s.  The outside is beautiful and surrounded by water – reminding me of a Wright building, and it’s a peaceful place to walk into.  The interior is a nice combination of Houston’s and The Macaroni Grill.  There is a fabulous (full) bar excluded from the restaurant with giant televisions for the sports fans.  There is a heated patio and small (lap) dogs are welcome! 

We started out with the Baby Bellas (8.5), baby portabella mushrooms stuffed with herbs and goat cheese served over baby spinach with a warm tomato vinaigrette.  In my opinion, there was too much spinach.  I would have been much happier with a light bed of arugula!  Other than that one complaint, the mushrooms were properly cleaned and grit-free and the goat cheese was perfectly tangy and creamy.  For dinner I had the vegetarian pasta (12), a gemelli pasta with diced winter vegetables in a light lemon butter sauce.  IT WAS DELICIOUS!  Amigo had the Big Pig Pork Sandwich (14) - smoked and pulled pork drenched in Shiner bbq sauce, topped with a vinegar slaw, and served on a hoagie bun with a choice of two sides.  My pal ordered french fries (perfect) and……..I forget what else.  The portions were large enough to create two meals from the one I ordered – munchies!

There is a lunch and dinner menu, and soon they will add a brunch menu.  They just hired a pastry chef, so watch for them to revamp their current seriously lackluster dessert menu.  They have live music on the weekends and may eventually expand the stage hours. 

It’s a privately owned restaurant with the well-oiled staff of a large corporation – GOOD JOB, Zed’s!!

…..now, if I could only do soemthing about the name…..

Let’s begin with a trip to tacoland.  Pablito’s Bakery @ Bluff Bend and Braker is par none.  Everything I have had there is divine.  (They could use some help with their coffee-making skills, but….)  Gorditas, quesadillas, tacos, tortas, everything!  Very fresh and flavorful and most importantly, affordable.  Pablito’s is better than La Mexicana (my former fave Mexican bakery) and the service is delightful.  A friend of mine from S. Austin ordered tamales over the holidays and the owner drove them to her…it had to have taken him at least an hour!  Now that is good service!  Amigo and I got our wedding cake there as well.  A traditional Tres Leches and it was simply perfect.  No Joke!  Be forewarned, though – the aqua fresca is too sweet! 

There are a few small tables outside on the front porch, so bring your pooch!

 

Zandunga is the second child for the east Austin staple, Mi Madre’s.  It has been several months since our trip here, so it’s a bit hard for me to recall many specifics.  I will say this though, I realllly wanted to like it, beacuse I love Mi Madre’s and I think that the family has done great things for the breakfast tacos…

We started our dinner with the Agave Margaritas.  They were good, but I am not really all that in to fancy drinks.  Gimme a fuckin shot of Jameson and a Lone Star, por favor…Appetizer was the Yucca Frita, perfectly fried and lightly salted yucca chips with an assortment of chutnied accoutrements, tasty!  To be totally honest with you, it several bong hits ago and I cannot for the life of me recall what either Amigo or I ate.  But….I do know that the portions were large, the salsa is HOT, and the potato stack was perfection!  Zandunga is a bit pricey if you are trying to be wallet friendly, but, it’s good.  (Sorry!)

Phew, sorry about that ya’ll! I done went and got hitched to amigo, bought a house (HEADACHE, but worth it), got a dog (Frankie!!!!), and had family in for the holidays – life has been insane…

Something swell did indeed rise through the smoke – we are amidst a plethora of new restaurants and bars to try!!!

So…..here we go; new location is 78753, Austin, Tejas!

…and btw – we have also learned that Yelp is an ok resource if you are looking for a place to eat…but not if you are necessarily researching the quality of the eats.  As it turns out, most of you people out there are nasty fuckers and will eat any piece of shit someone sets in front of your big fat faces. GROSS!

The food trailer has become somewhat of a local revolution, they are everywhere.  Some are good, some not-so-much and it’s a high stakes game when I compromise my food.  To the west of the new East Side Drive In (whack) is a commune of food trailers, and one of those is the #19 Bus.  An old London style, double-decker bus that is easy to spot from the street.  The menu is short and sweet and to the point.  This is ok if the food is good, and I have never had a better cheesesteak in my entire life.  My entire life.  The meat was perfectly shaved and the meat/cheese/mushroom-pepper ratio was perfection.  The bread was also perfect as there could have been no better vehicle to get the meat in to my mouth.  Perfectly hard (blushing), perfectly soft in the middle, and not soggy at all! 

Sadly, Lucky J’s is no longer in rotation…RIP.