Fajita Science Experiments

Cantina Laredo is a chain with locations in Oklahoma and Ohio, so expecting high quality fare was probably asking a little much. It’s also entirely possible that today’s lunch at is not their fault. It could be one of a thousand things like the economy, Rick Perry’s hair or the fact I may or may not be in a pretty foul mood this week for reason’s that are entirely not the fault of this downtown eatery.

Excuses aside, I still paid for lunch there, and I’m still sorry that I did.

“Julie & Julia” comes to Cissi’s Market

If you haven’t yet been to Cissi’s Market (1400 South Congress), the little oasis of gourmet food and vino in Soco, let me give you a fun excuse.

Tonight, Cissi’s premieres “Julie & Julia,” the foodie film headed to theaters Aug. 7th. Directed by Nora Ephron (of “When Harry Met Sally, “Sleepless in Seattle” and “You’ve Got Mail”), the film stars Meryl Streep and Amy Adams.  It’s the true story of Austin native Julie Powell who blogged her way thru all 524 recipies in Julia Child’s Mastering the Art of French Cooking. 

219 West

For the past week or so I’ve been gallivanting about the American west, sleeping the back of my car, and smelling questionable at best. So, my first foray back into civilized dining was expected to be a bit shocking. We journeyed into the heart of the beast that is the warehouse district, paid for parking (something I am normally loath to do, but it was 105 and I’m still not quite adjusted back to the insane heat), and headed to 219 West.

Tarbouch Lebanese Grill & Hookah. Yes, hookah.

I wish I could live near the Mediterranean Sea. I’ve dipped my toes in it on the shores of Spain and France, and I long to visit Greece one day. And the food…ohhh, the food. I’m sure that what we call “Mediterranean” food in the states is some kind of watered-down amalgamation of food from multiple countries – a regional mish-mash of dishes that are vaguely flavored and mostly inauthentic. Kinda like the vast majority of Chinese buffets. But I gotta admit, whenever I hear the word “Mediterranean” applied to food, I jump at the chance to try it. So when a friend mentioned a new joint called Tarbouch and uttered “Mediterranean” in the same breath, I did not hesitate.