I stopped going to the Mangia on Mesa Drive because I got so fed up with the lousy service. Too bad, because I like the pizza. So I'm glad to say that the Lake Austin location is so much better, they should consider changing names and striking out on their own.
Since it had been a while since we had eaten at Mangia's, we decided it was time to try the Lake Austin Blvd. location, which had been for delivery only until they took over the space previously occupied by Deep Eddy Books next door. The loss of any used bookstore is a sad thing, but at least we have another sit-down location for Mangia's as consolation.
It turns out that there's very little difference between the Mesa and Lake Austin Blvd. locations. The Lake Austin location is smaller, but the service is better. (There was also a juggler on duty, but I have no idea if he's a regular fixture). The pizza and salads are the same (excellent and decent, respectively), and the garlic bread seemed less dried out than that served at the Mesa location (though still not up to Reale's garlic cheese bread). I applaud management's belated realization that an all-meat specialty pizza (The Carnivore) was a good idea, but it would be nice if there were a price break from a regular three-topping pizza. I can also say that the chorizio pizza is well worth a try if your tastes lean that way. They were out of Dr Pepper (the horror, the horror), at least from the dispenser, but I take this as a temporary abberation. Parking is a mild problem, requiring a short hike from the lots in back or next to Deep Eddy pool.
If you want deep, rich, self-indulgent pizza in Austin, Mangia's is still your best bet, no matter which location you go to.
More generic Mexican food. Nothing to see here: move along.
'Tis a shame: Tio Tito's was a pretty good place.
We seem to have bad Mexican food karma.
How else can you explain the last two Mexican restaurants we visited changing their names by the time we got there? Alas, these name changes seem to presage the effects of entropy in that corner of the universe: Taqueria Bullarta isn't as good as Tio Tito's, which previously occupied this spot. I can put up with the English-challanged waitress (it was, after all, East Austin), but the salsa and chips were bland, the quesadillas and nachos merely adequate, and the beef fajitas for two I split with Andrew "Samba for Satan" Wimsatt heavy on the green pepper and light on the meat. Frankly, I've had more generous servings of fajitas for one. The Taco El Pastor was tasty, but the serving was far from generous.
Apart from the fact that they serve hamburgers (which none of us tried), there is nothing to distinguish Taqueria Bullarta from dozens of other bland TexMex offerings. Mediocrity, thy name is Taqueria Bullarta.
There's no significant difference between this location and the 183 location: indeed, they probably just drop prefabricated building modules (complete with signs) out of the back of a C-130, and let the construction crews assemble them on the ground.
If they offered the all-you-can-eat shrimp more than two nights a week, I'd be more of a regular: I eat catfish, but I'm not wild about it. (I'm more wild about the hush puppies.)
Ah, Comfort Food. That's what the Catfish Parlour provides in plentiful quantities at a decent price. $9.95 gets you all-you-can-eat fried catfish, french fries, hush puppies, beans, and cole slaw. I am rather fond of the cylindrical hush puppies, and the fish and fries aren't bad either.
Except for a little slowness in getting our initial order, the service was fairly decent, and the waitress kept my bottomless glass of Dr Pepper well refilled. I don't mind the down-home atmosphere, but it is a little eerie just how similar the South Catfish Parlour is to it's north Austin sibling. I'm not just talking about the BMTCRSC decorations; the two buildings seem to have the exact same layout.
If you ever find yourself thinking "I want fried catfish, and lots of it," the Catfish Parlour is just your ticket.
Everything Zoot wants to be, but isn't.
The lobster rolls are truly extraordinary (one or two orders of those and a salad would be a nice meal on its own). But I was truly amazed by the grilled seafood platter: an enormous mound of fresh, perfectly grilled shrimp, scallops and fish. Slightly more expensive than some places, to be sure, but clearly prepared by someone who has their head in the right place and knows how to cook seafood. This, I think, is the best prepared and most satisfying seafood dish I've had in Austin.
Indeed, while Cafe Josie does have many non-seafood dishes, I have a hard time suggesting that anyone actually order them (unless you're one of those poor unfortunates that has a seafood allergy): seafood is clearly the star here.
A star that shines with the power of four billion suns going nova.
With this week's meal at Cafe Josie, I feel they've zoomed past Castle Hill and right to the head of the Austin Fine Dining pack. All the appetizers were tasty (and the wasabi and mango/habanero sauces accompanying them especially good), but the Lobster Rolls were delicious, edging out my previous favorite, the blue crab quesedillas.
For my main course I had the encrusted redfish, and it didn't disappoint. I only wish there had been more habanero butter on it. And speaking of butter, their herb garlic version helped us polish off several loafs of bread. The bite I had of Earl's jerked pork was very good as well, and I might opt for that next trip. Service was excellent.
Nits: The mussel appatizer was good, but the portions are less than half of what you get at Louis 106 or Carrabba's. Some upsizing here would be welcome. Also, the dessert selection is rather limited. A creme brulee or flavored cheesecake might be in order. And they still don't have Dr Pepper.
The prices are comparable to those at Castle Hill, but the entree portions are substantially more generous (and at least twice what you get at Zoot). If you're looking for one of the best meals in Austin, Cafe Josie is an excellent choice.
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