Frank & Angie's: Austin

This is one of my favorite little places to go to when in Austin, the sister restaurant to Hut's Hamburgers (see the April review). 

This picture is just an example of their pizza not our actual pizza!

Tonight, we decide to split Lugosi's Lament.  This pizza has mozzarella, pecorino, sliced tomatoes, and roasted garlic.  We asked that they add basil.  All I can say is that this pizza was awesome.  The roasted garlic is actually roasted whole garlic cloves.  The tomato sauce was delicious, and the crust was cooked to perfection. 

The other dishes coming out of the open kitchen counter smelled just as good.  In fact, on the next visit, I might have to try one of their pastas.  Decent wine and beer list too.  If you get the chance, check out this neighborhood joint. 

Frank & Angie's Pizzeria

508 West 6th Ave
Austin, TX 78701-2723
(512) 472-3534
www.hutsfrankandangies.com

Bess Bistro: Austin

Bess Bistro is a quaint restaurant right next to our hotel on 6th Street.  You walk down a flight of stairs into a cozy brick columned room with a beautiful wood bar.  A crystal chandelier lights our wooden corner booth.  Tonight, we are celebrating a VIP's birthday.  Although service gets off to a slow start, a gastronomic adventure begins with a nice bottle of Ercavio Tempranillo, Spain '07 and an appetizer of Crispy Artichokes.  This blog has a case of the Tempranillo's, so enjoy my photos accompanied by the menu's descriptions.
  

CRISPY ARTICHOKES: semolina crusted artichoke hearts and fried lemon wheels tossed in Parmesan, served with a roasted garlic aioli .

STEAK FRITES: grilled 6 ounce prime flat-iron steak topped with a mushroom and bleu cheese demi-glace, served with pommes frites;

CENTER CUT RIBEYE: grilled 8 oz. ribeye filet served with truffled cauliflower gratinée and crispy fried Brussels sprouts

MAC-N-CHEESE AU GRATIN

SEASONAL CHEESE PLATE: daily selection of local and world cheeses served with almond stuffed prosciutto wrapped dates and fresh honey comb

Overall, the winner of the night was the Mac-N-Cheese.  All of us agreed that Bess Bistro was just OK.  It wasn't bad, but it wasn't great.  The wine list is very nice.  The atmosphere is superb.  It is quite pricey, but it did make for a nice evening with friends from what I remembered.  :)
  
Bess Bistro

500 West 6th Street
Austin, TX 78701
(512) 477-2377
www.bessbistro.com

Hut's Hamburger: Austin

Hut's Hamburgers is always a stop for this girl when staying in Austin.  This Hut's location originally started in 1939 as Sammie's Drive In.   It has been Eli's Lounge and Picante Mexican restaurant.  But, in 1969, Homer "Hut" Hutson moved in with Hut's Hamburgers.


At Hut's, they have every and any kind of burger you can desire- in fact 20 listed on the menu ranging from the Tuby's Tickler to the Boodieburger to the Theta Special.  Located on West 6th Street, this place is packed at all hours.


For starters, we ordered a half order of onion rings.  Their onion rings are HUGE, thick cut onion slices tossed in a black pepper batter.  You can make a meal out of these alone- especially when they are dipped into their homemade ranch dressing.

Today, our burgers were just OK.  They didn't seem to be the usual Hut's Hamburger.  The burgers are filled to the brim with fresh lettuce, onions, tomatoes and pickles.  The patties are 1/2 inch thick and seasoned well.  The meat is fresh never frozen from Johnny G's Meat Market in South Austin.  The fries rock especially when dipped into that homemade ranch.


Overall, Hut's Hamburgers still rocks.  If you are not in the hamburger mood, they have daily blue plate specials, buffalo from Thunderheart Bison Ranch, longhorn from Bandera Grasslands, chicken and if you must, veggie burgers.  If you find yourself on 6th Street, wonder on down to Hut's Hamburgers.  You can also visit their sister restaurant, Frankie and Angie's, for pizza.  Neither will disappoint!


Huts Hamburgers
807 West 6th Street
Austin, TX 78703-5403
(512) 472-0693
www.hutsfrankandangies.com