This past weekend I was in the mood for brunch…on Saturday.  I had heard that Lambert’s BBQ did a fine Saturday brunch, so the bf and I weaved our way through the Austin Farmer’s Market to Lambert’s Downtown Fancy BBQ.  Seems they decided to change things up a bit and offer brunch on Sunday only.  It’s a good thing.

After reading about Lambert’s phenom 26 year old chef, Larry McGuire, we decided to try his latest venture across the street, LaCondesa.  First of all, the decor took me to some fancy mediterranean far off island of Greece.  It was beautiful and soothing and amazing.  The table at the front of the restaurant boasted an assortment of homemade breads and sweet rolls, accompanied by bowls of butter, mexican crema, and an orange and vanilla infused marmalade.  All delicious.  Apparently they like to infuse things.

For brunch I had a BLT, as did my bf.  They came stacked on grilled sourdough and accompanied by a spring salad mix.  Good, but the main highlight of this trip was the drinks.  After all, you can’t do brunch and not imbibe.  Normally, except for that one bottomless mimosa adventure, I would limit myself to a drink.  This time, I had two.  And if you keep reading, you will understand why…

I had:

ALMA BLANCA habanero-infused chinaco blanco
ginger essence, aloe vera-lemongrass syrup, pineapple juice,
fresh corn, hoja de hierba santa, hibiscus-rose-infused salt rim

EL CUBICO whole leaf tobacco-infused sauza hornitos
reposado, navan vanilla liqueur, lemon, grilled pineapple juice,
mezcal essence, volcanic-saffron-infused salt rim

For real, in the latter concoction, they grilled my pineapple juice before putting it in my drink.  Fucking genius!  The Alma Blanca was exactly what I look for in a bloody mary, but it was a little sweet…with a major kick from the habanero infused chinaco blanco (tequila).  And while the other, a tobacco infused tequila, may sound a little odd, it was delicious, exotic, and quit powerful as well.  A divine creation.  And no, it did not taste like  a parliament light.

I suggest a visit to Lambert’s, LaCondesa, and two of McGuire’s upcoming ventures…Perla (opens in April) and the bar above LaCondesa, Malverde.

Good job, lads.

Eat, drink, and be merrier.

GBJ

and everyone wants to blame the Mexican Drug Cartel…um, folks…i hate to say it, but the fuckin Cartel receives the majority of their income, albeit illegal, from WEED.  DIRT WEED none-the-less,  you god damned idiots. Uh, really? Decapitation…for weed? Personally, I don’t think that’s necessary.

does someone clean your house for you?  do your lawn?

think about it kids…and while you’re at it…go ahead and ponder the fucking border patrol.

suck it, assholes.

GBJ

Ok kids. I was talking w/ bf the other day and he suggested that I recap the restaurant reviews that I have posted so far. While I love to give props to those institutions that I love, I like to keep the devil close when I revisit the establishments that pissed me off…so here goes…

I will start with the BAD list…

Primizie Osteria, Austin, Texas…the atmosphere blew, the food sucked, and the service was as cold as my grammy six feet under. Wait she was cremated, anyways, you catch my drift…

Ave. B Grocery Store and Sandwich Shop…the guys that owns this is a fucking cock face. Unfortunately, his food is the shit, but I will never return. EVER!

Bossa Nova - UGH! I don’t even know where to begin. However, I saw the asshole that I refer to in this entry at the local corner store…it was night and that douche bag still had on his sunglasses…and he informed us that he now works at the coffee shop right next to my house (Quack’s, which BF and I refer to as Wack’s, cuz it sucks dick as well). So, in the defense of the very sweet owner of Bossa Nova, I will go back and give it a shot knowing that the fucker that makes me want to hurl with every breath he takes is gone! One step forward for Bossa Nova.

The GOOD list!

Lambert’s Fancy Downtown BBQ - There is not enough positive things I can say about this place. Beyond the amazing music that plays, the historic building, and the calm of being off 6th Street, the food is to die for. On a recent trip in, I had the skirt steak served with a hot Cholula butter…hold on kids, that one will blow you right over!

I also suggest that you try The Little Deli on Woodrow, possibly the best sandwich in town! Another one of my faves is The Blue Dahlia for a bistro style setting…amazing, organic, and local!

Bon Apetite, fuckers!

Go to Lambert’s this Saturday night for four of my most fave local bands ever…Many Birthdays, Baby Robots (the new crew), The Diagonals, and BASIC…it’s gonna be a big one!

Ok, yum! BF and I had dinner here last night to celebrate his birthday… yes, he is older than me …and it was so delicious!

We started the evening off with the roasted green chile queso w/ homemade fresh, fried tortilla strips ($6). The queso was very light and very tasty. The fresh fried tortilla strips were far superior to any tostada you would find at a tex-mex joint! We also decided to share the iceberg wedge salad w/ grape tomatoes and a very light and creamy buttermilk bleu cheese dressing ($8). BF is not into iceberg lettuce, but I thought that it was a fine pallette for the crisp bacon bits and rich dressing. Iceberg retains its temperature better than most lettuces, so it was perfect for this dish. I had the natural Niman ranch filet served with a tobasco hollandaise and a stuffed beef steak tomato ($32). Holy shit. It tasted just as good as it sounds. The steak was seasoned to perfection and melted in my mouth. BF had the brown sugar and coffee rubbed natural beef brisket, lean cut ($14). While I did not try it, he always gets the brisket, and he is self proclaimed brisket connoisseur, I take his word that it was good. In fact, there was only one piece left on the plate when he was done! We rounded our meal off with two family sides (large portions to feed 2-4 people) of mashed new potatoes w/ creme fraiche ($6) and some pan seared french beans, also $6.

Lamberts does not have salt and pepper on the tables. In most situations, this really pisses me off, it’s conceited to me. However, this food was seasoned to absolute divinity and they knew it! No salt and pepper shakers needed!

Next time I go back, and there will be a next time and it will be soon, I am going to try the banana creme pie! YUM! We had cake at the house so I just could not do that to myself at the time…

The bar upstairs hosts a M-F happy hour from 5-7, and plenty of music to make your drinks go down that much faster. Check out their Myspace page for more details…And if you live in Austin…you can come visit me and my BF on 5/17 b/c his band,Baby Robots ,and several of our friends’ bands will be playing together that night!

Bon Apetite, Bitches!

BASIC

Many Birthdays

The Diagonals