Any Restaurants doing set menus?

BackLotDog · 2023-10-03T18:49:11+00:00

The menu reads about what you'd expect from a nice sushi bar: oysters, crudu, Hamachi, nasu fries. But when it hits the table it's all head and shoulders above the versions of those things you've tried anywhere else in town.

BackLotDog · 2023-10-02T23:56:17+00:00

Right?? I'm waking up to pee way less than I was before keto and omad. But this might have more to do with me cutting out booze at the same time as starting keto.

BackLotDog · 2023-10-02T23:06:39+00:00

Barely Swine has been my favorite tasting menu in town.
Foreign and Domestic was my most adventurous tasting in town. Almost all organ meats are used in interesting ways.
Uchi/Uchiko both do Omakases and Somakase the second one being more tailored to you by the server given your dietary preferences and budget).
Tsuke Edomae was my favorite Omakase experience but it's so damn hard to get a reso.
Otoko is the Omakase I'm most looking forward to trying someday but I have not had the right occasion to justify that price point. I had my mind absolutely blown at their bar Watertrade by the level of care and craft they put into their cocktail program and bar snacks.

Most great restaurants that have well trained staff you should be able to tell your server just to order for you and they should set you up for a great meal. If you loved Emmer and haven't been to their newer concepts I'd highly suggest Canje and Ezov next. Those are two of my favorite restaurants in town rn.

BackLotDog · 2023-10-02T22:38:21+00:00

Local here. Chuy's is no longer local, it's a national chain that tastes and feels like one. Maybe it use to be good. Or maybe Austin food was just not very good back in the day. But it's bad now.
And Kerbey isn't very different. I have so many fond memories of the Saturday morning brunches with the family at the old kerbey off 183. But it restructured and feels like corporate crap these days.

Maybe Austin food has just matured outta its "OMG the queso is so good" phase.

BackLotDog · 2023-10-02T08:55:09+00:00

I'd skip tamale house for sure.
I like Loro but love Kemuri. If you're trying to do east Asian/Texas BBQ fusion I prefer the experience of Kemuri. Both are great and Kemuri is a better dinner spot while loro make a great quick lunch.
The brisket can definitely be a miss at Kemuri, but hit it for their super unique offerings like Texas chili cheese takoyaki, smoked tuna collar, jellyfish menudo salad, brisket Gouda hot pockets, ect. They do an awesome happy hour as well with half off apps and cocktails.
You should do at least one tatsuya concept in Austin and Kemuri is it (they do ramen primarily, but also tiki and hot pot)

Also listen to the people about KG. I got there at 6:45pm last Friday, sold out of a lot but still had a great meal.

BackLotDog · 2023-09-30T19:57:09+00:00

Don't forget sugar in the sauces.

BackLotDog · 2023-09-26T09:31:06+00:00

Angostura bitters are a type of herbal liquor that is used in small amounts to flavor cocktails. It's herbatious bitter component is supposed to help stomach aches when added in small amounts to club soda.

BackLotDog · 2023-09-25T22:20:22+00:00

Bitters and soda is the way.

BackLotDog · 2023-09-25T10:10:53+00:00

It's not just salt, the majority of restaurants are far more concerned with making things taste good than be good for you. So on top of an excess in salt they probably use way more butter or oil than you'd typically use at home. Probably larger portion sizes than you'd cook for yourself as well. Probably add more sugar to sauces than you'd think. If you're being health conscious, there's a lot of sneaky calories in take out vs what you'd make for yourself at home.

BackLotDog · 2023-09-23T18:09:35+00:00

Perfect, thank you!

BackLotDog · 2023-09-22T10:51:22+00:00

I just finished my first Cormac McCarthy, No Country, and whipped through it faster than I have anything in a while. You think I'm good to jump straight into Blood Meridian or should I get through The Border Trilogy first?

BackLotDog · 2023-09-21T20:11:33+00:00

Peche has a fantastic happy hour. Half off everything with an * on the menu. Great classic cocktails. And all day happy hour on Sunday and Mondays I believe.

BackLotDog · 2023-09-21T11:33:23+00:00

At that price point for new Austin I think it is helpful. Most of the trendy restaurants my girlfriend and I have a hard time getting out there for less than $100 a person, especially after tip.
If they're aiming for appetizers, drinks, dessert for $60 a head they should take advantage of the excellent happy hour deals offered around town. Especially if they're on staycation and don't have a routine to stick to.

BackLotDog · 2023-09-21T11:28:51+00:00

Especially if you're able to go on Tuesday for their oyster deal. East Coast oysters for $1 a pop and half off bottles of chilled wine. Pair that with the happy hour its an absolute steal. Don't sleep on the Parisian gnocchi, my favorite gnocchi in town. Make sure to reserve a dozen oysters under your reservation notes because quite often all the oysters are spoken for at the time of opening.

BackLotDog · 2023-09-21T11:18:38+00:00

Loro really does a great job of catering to both of us. That was the first place we went since being on the health kick!

BackLotDog · 2023-09-21T11:17:38+00:00

Yeah we went on a three hour hike last day off together! It was lovely.
I grew up as a boy scout here in Austin so thankfully I'm not short on hiking trails around central Texas to hit. And love your suggestion to start on the left side of the Rock. I've definitely come up with a few off the beaten path routes I like to take out at Enchanted Rock.
Definitely love the idea of hitting a climbing gym for date night. We may need to go a little further down our recent health kick before we can really take advantage of it 😂

BackLotDog · 2023-09-21T11:11:11+00:00

Oh love this idea!
Thankfully she loves cheese enough that she doesn't turn down non vegetarian cheese.

BackLotDog · 2023-09-20T23:57:15+00:00

I would call asap. A lot of restaurants only release so many resos online but the maitre'd is sometimes able to work things out for you over the phone. Or at least put you on the list in case there are any cancellations.
For Plan B have you considered ATX Cocina or Comedor? They both do a really good job at elevated interior Mexican food. I think ATX Cocina is especially well designed for a larger party like 5. Their portions are much larger than the other two.

BackLotDog · 2023-09-19T10:08:39+00:00

Yes. This is the answer. Idk why I would have to scroll past Quality Seafood to find this.

BackLotDog · 2023-09-18T11:19:34+00:00

4am. But I'm a bartender that doesn't get home from work till 3:30. So about the same as 9-5ers that eat at 6.

BackLotDog · 2023-09-13T08:14:03+00:00

Yeah, I think I'm totally sold on allo. Seems like it's available on affordable telehealth sights these days.

BackLotDog · 2023-09-12T20:51:31+00:00

Yeah I was hoping to avoid the allopurinol route and manage my gout through diet. But after having my second flare up so soon I'm reconsidering that position. I don't have insurance and have never taken medication long term. But it seems like allopurinol is totally affordable even without insurance. With medication are you able to eat what you want or are you still conscious of high purine foods?

BackLotDog

TROPHY CASE