The Red House Pizzeria (1917 Manor Road) that is.
Manor Road in East Central Austin has become quite the little restaurant row for off-the-beaten path diners. There are two great tex-mex establishments: El Chile Cafe and Vivo, a southern home cookin’ Chicken Fried Steak joint, Hoover’s, and today’s eatery of choice, The Red House Pizzeria (formerly Stortini).
I was wearing the wrong outfit for East Side Show Room. I should have dressed more like Amelie – a bit French, a bit vintage, a bit, I don’t know…less Banana-Republican-work-appropriate (to my credit, I did come straight from work). They still let me in and didn’t even give me dirty looks, and I’m glad for it.
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.
I am going to go out on a limb here and say that the tacos at Garrido’s (360 Nueces St.) may just be the best I’ve ever had. Maybe it’s because they are so much more than your basic tacos–Chef David Garrido’s gourmet twist on this Austin staple will quickly put his new* restaurant on the map (*prior to opening Garrido’s, David worked as head chef at Jeffrey’s, widely regarded as one of Austin’s best fine-dining establishments) .
It’s Texas Thursday at Quality Seafood Market (5621 Airport Blvd.)–that means 25 cent Peel-n-Eat Shrimp, $2 Lone Stars, and $6.99 Garlic Shrimp Pizzas from 6:00 - 9:00 p.m.!
Head to Freddie’s (S. 1st) for FREE wings and smoked brisket during happy hour. Looks like the free nosh doesn’t come out til 6:00, even though happy hour starts at 4:00 (and runs til 7:00, FYI). Happy hour drink specials include $2 frozen margaritas, well drinks, tall boys, and frozen Jack & lemondades. Oh, and the washers tournament starts at 7:00.
I could eat Mexican food every day of the week. I shouldn’t do this, but I could. In Austin, there is no shortage of Mexican/Tex-Mex restaurants, so you’ve got to be stellar to really stand out. Flavor, a little heat, creative dishes in addition to traditional stand-bys, and really, really good margaritas are my criteria for excellent south-of-the-border fare.
I’ve been to each of El Chile’s locations, and most of the time they’re okay. Not stellar, but okay. Last week I visited their newest location at 918 South Congress, and once again I was left with an overall feeling of “take it or leave it.”
Head to Taverna on West 2nd for half-price bottles of wine all day*, and every Tuesday for that matter (*entree purchase required).
Taverna is a cozy, casual Italian restaurant downtown, with it’s own unique flair. Great wood-fired entrees and creative pasta dishes, and mostly reasonable prices (Dinner: pizzas $10-$13, pastas $13-$16, entrees $18-$21–lunch options are a few bucks cheaper across the board).
Looking for a sweet treat this summer?
Dolce Vita in Hyde Park is hands-down one of the best places in town to placate your sweet tooth. And we aren’t the only ones who think so–10Best.com rated them 4th in their “Desserts” category (after the Driskill’s 1886 Cafe & Bakery, Amy’s Ice Creams, and Chez Zee).
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