The Renowned...Lustre Pearl

We have arrived... for happy hour that is.

A few friends and I made it to Lustre Pearl, finally, after all the chatter that has been going on around Austin for the past few months.

It was pretty much what I had expected, very "Austiny" (I know, you are probably sick of hearing that, as any new establishment in Austin is described with the same adjective.) Honestly, though it is really "Austiny." Huge backyard w/ plenty of tables and chairs to just chill and relax, ping pong table, taco truck, I mean if that isn't Austin, then what is?! Please tell me, no really, please.

Anyway, the one thing that I'm sure most people would gripe about (besides the neighbors not picking up their dog's poop) is the lack of A/C. The house is wide open (doors, windows, everything) and apparently the only place that has A/C is the bathrooms (thanks Laura, for checking that out!) So the general consensus (my friends and all of Austin) is that Lustre Pearl is rad!

~Rachel

HOT DOGS!

If you know me at all you know I've never met a hot dog I didn't like. When I heard that Starlite was closing I was sad but excited to hear a new restaurant was going in its location called Frank's and the majority of their menu was going to be hot dogs! Yesterday, I finally made it to Frank's and it met and exceeded all my expectations. The menu is basically hot dogs with all different toppings. Anything from cole slaw to chili. They also have a full bar and an extensive beer list. But most notably they have bacon infused Maker's Mark. Who doesn't need a little whiskey at lunch? The atmosphere is super laid back. Clientele ranged anywhere from families with young children to businessmen. They are open additional hours, Thursday through Satruday until 2am, which could be very dangerous for me.



I had the Slaw Dog and LOVED IT! The cole slaw was super horseradishie but good. I also had the waffle fries with buffalo bleu sauce which was amazing also. Don't let the color of the sauce turn you off. Franks has made it into the normal lunch rotation, for sure. If your in the mood for a hot dog you should check out Frank's, they will not disappoint! Brunch hours are being added soon!

~ Laura

CHEESE the way to my heart!

Photo: Michael Kraus

Texas is known for many things and cheese is not one of them. BUT there are a couple that are worth trying. Today, I read a good article about Texas Cheese! ....all of which I have enjoyed during my time in Austin. Read article

I highly suggest you do yourself a favor and have yourself a taste. If you are interested in food at all you should join the Tasting Table daily email list.

~Laura

Mighty Cone

This weekly trailer post is Mighty Cone 1603 S. Congress Ave. in the thick of all the South Congress goodness.

Atmosphere

5-kind of in a weird spot with a bus stop very close.
7-right of S. Congress, easy to find and lots of umbrellas for shade in the August heat.

Price

8-a good price for a full meal.
8-good deal for quality of food sold out of a trailer

Quality of food
6-good products used, just something about it a little off.
8-thought it was very good, just kinda hard to eat? Awkward w/ the cone, etc...


Accessibility
7-a little hard to get to just because of the limited parking on S. Congress....oops I missed that big free parking lot.
10-there was a parking lot behind the food trailer(s) that was FREE!


Cleanliness
8-very clean and lots of recycling options.
8-super clean, what Laura said.


Local
8-in the middle of the craziness that is S.Congress.
8-good local location and Hudson on the Bend is an Austin staple


Service
9-good service
9-good service, just dont go when there is a bus full of 16 yr. old girls.


Item menu & rating

- Hot & Spicy Chicken and Avocado & Fries - there was some flavor on the chicken that did not agree with me. The avacado was a little too large and didn't taste right fries - 6 The fries were good and well seasoned - 8

- Hot & Spicy Chicken, thought it was really good, liked the crust that was on the chicken - 8

Would you eat there again?

- probably not, it wasn't bad but it also isn't something I am going to crave.

-definitely

Laura & Rachel

Quarter Life Crisis?? --- and no I am not quoting the horrible John Mayer song

picture courtesy of Eyes tothesky.com

Since we all feel this way but just can't bring ourselves to discuss or accept the fact that we are growing up, I figured I'd throw it in everyone's face. I connected with this article and felt most, if not all of my friends could relate. Read with caution, openness, fear but most of all a sense of humor.

An excerpt from the article:

Having so much — youth, ability, independence — can feel like the worst possible scenario. What remains, though, is the potential for the years with anxiety and without direction to be reclaimed. Scheer sees real opportunity here. “If you feel you’re in crisis, this is a great opportunity to draft a five-year plan with steady concrete goals to help you get to where you want to be. Anyone can transform their life in just a few years.” Michael Kimmel says “There is life on the other side of this, and it’s actually a pretty good one. Growing up may be hard to do, but in the end, the gains outweigh the losses.” In other words: it might just be time to grow the fuck up... click link below to read more.

http://www.eyeweekly.com/article/55882



Thanks Ade for sharing!

~Laura

A little taste of home

Order and they shall come

Last weekend a group of my friends gathered at Canyon Lake (the only lake around the Austin area with any water in it worth boating on) for a well known summer Maryland tradition, eating Maryland Blue Crabs. My friends Dave and Ryan grew up in Southern Maryland(wherever that is...sorry guys I had to) and me being from right outside of D.C. we thought, what is a summer without a little Blue Crab?

Dave the Master Crab Cooker!

Since flying to Maryland for the weekend was out of the question we decided to have Maryland brought to us, all the way in the middle of Texas. We ordered 3 bushels (about 7 1/2 dozen) and had them shipped overnight and they arrived Saturday morning at 10:00 a.m. You can't have crabs without some Old Bay and Malt Vinagar so both were present as well.

Setting up the feast

The aftermath of Crab Fest '09

Now I grew up eating Blue Crabs and taking them apart and getting out every last bit of meat out of them was ritualistic for me. Our significant others on the other hand thought this ritual to be a little strange, but they indulged us in our nostalgia for a weekend. It was a lot of fun, a learning experience for some but fun was had by all. I hope it becomes a tradition no matter where I live.

Mookie (Ryan's dog) is over Crab Fest '09

~ Laura

Euro who?

I will be crossing that vast water, people affectionately call a "pond" for a speedy Eurotrip. I promise (really) to report once I get back and I/we will reside our dutiful positions as amazing blog writers (or something like that...) Wish me well and I will catch you on the flip side!

XOXO,
Rachel