Tucked away among the factories and warehouses on East Fifth Street, you will find a house with a pétanque, or bocce ball, court and garden tables. As you walk through the courtyard, you begin to smell the aroma of butter and garlic. A few more steps and you are greeted with the sound of classic vinyl records and good conversation. Even in Austin, where people pride themselves on enjoying a good quality of life, it is rare to find a place where guests are invited to arrive late, order a … [Read more...]
The Souvenir Menu: Fino’s St-Germain themed dinner
In the early 1980’s, a beautiful raspberry liqueur named ‘Chambord’ was introduced in the United States by a man named Norton “Sky” Cooper. It was an instant hit in clubs and bars as a great addition to any number of classic cocktails. It added a sweet raspberry kick to anything from Champagne to kamikazes. Thirty-five years later, his two sons, John and Robert Cooper, are repeating that success with fantastic liqueurs of their own. In 2006, Cooper sold his company, Charles Jacquin et Cie., … [Read more...]
The Souvenir Menu: Spanish Grenache, a good value wine
In December, I was invited to lead a small class on wine for a local women’s organization. Several wines had been donated and I was asked to provide guidance in tasting, as well as general information about the wines and grapes. The plus for me was that I got to talk about wine for hours and these people actually wanted to be there! A very nice surprise that evening was the Spanish Grenache. The majority of my experience with Spanish wine has been moderately-priced Tempranillos. These are … [Read more...]
A Sharp-dressed man: How to suit yourself
Science tells us that we produce sex pheromones that can drive a man or woman wild. As a man, what else can you do to visually attract someone of interest? Everyone knows that any man looks sharp in a nice suit. As long as the suit fits well, and the subject wearing the suit is comfortable, this can be accomplished without much effort. Now, I know that some men dread putting on the "monkey suit" and find ways out of doing it, so, as a stylish man, I want to offer some assistance to you as you … [Read more...]
Eat like a king at Austin Restaurant Week
February 28th-March 3rd and March 7th-10th, 2010 Austinites can once again feast like kings for a fraction of the cost at Austin Restaurant Week (ARW), a biannual tradition that began a few years ago. Starting on Feb. 28, diners can enjoy three course meals for $10-$15 for lunch and $25-$35 for dinner at over 60 participating local restaurants. Now, that is a steal, considering that there are quite a few restaurants on the list known to put a dent in your pocketbook. Not only will you be eating … [Read more...]
The Souvenir Menu: Wine pairing and pronunciation
Selecting a wine to go with dinner can be intimidating. Saying the name of the wine you chose can be even more so. I once murdered a French wine’s name so badly that it can still bring a little color to my cheeks 20 years later. While pronunciation may still be a problem, wine lists these days are getting easier to use. The best user-friendly lists now identify not just the color and origin, but the style or character of the wine as well. Wines can range from crisp, light-bodied whites, like … [Read more...]
The Souvenir Menu: Tien Jin
Years ago, when I was working in South Austin, I tried a small Chinese restaurant in a strip mall called Tien Jin. The lunch buffet, while better than average, had not hinted at the wonderful food that was possible. A good friend, who had been going there for years told, me that I had simply done it wrong. He said the secret was the “small” special menu. Michael Chau, the Chef and owner, along with his wife, JoAnna, are from Hong Kong. The specialty of the house was authentic Cantonese … [Read more...]
Bar W XYZ: Comfortably swanky
Regardless of the work week, it is almost certain that as a busy professional you will crave or need a tasty alcoholic beverage to sooth your soul. Where do you find said beverage? As a round-about-town individual, I would love to lend you a hand in your quest for an after five o'clock social escape. I begin with this week's journey into the ever so popular Domain shopping center. I had heard from various Facebook posts and social butterflies that a trendy, lounge-like bar had opened in … [Read more...]
The Souvenir Menu: Fonda San Miguel
I was talking to a colleague recently and was surprised to find that not only had he not been to a particular local restaurant, he’d not even heard of the place. As I thought about it, it started to make sense; most restaurant reviews tend to cover the shiny and new. With Austin having one of the fastest growing populations in the country in recent years, old can be new again. One Austin classic that has survived over 35 years on merit is Fonda San Miguel. This beautiful … [Read more...]
A Sharp Dressed Man: 5 Basic Elements
How do you define a sharp or well-dressed man? By the attention he draws from others? By the amount of money he spends on his "gear", as some men like to refer to their attire. The simple fact of the matter is that a well-dressed man is not made or created by others. A well-dressed man is in all of us, and the key to bringing him forward is to help him realize that he can be comfortable in clothes that fit him well. When a man feels good, his confidence level is higher, regardless of the … [Read more...]
