UPDATE: Longview

The following restaurants have recently been updated:

Butcher Shop: One morning, we went for a full breakfast.  I ordered breakfast tacos without eggs, of course.  They were really good though they could have had some potatoes added in place of the eggs.  The two very large tacos came out with crumbled sausage, red and yellow bell peppers, and cheese.  Typical jar salsa was added to make a very scrumptious and filling breakfast taco.  Definitely a winner.

Cowboy Chicken: I stopped in to grab a late dinner.  I wanted to be somewhat good, so I had the Grilled Chicken Platter with Green Beans and Tangy Tomato and Cucumber Salad.  When the plate came out, the chicken looked horrible- not appetizing at all, but it was actually very tender, well seasoned, and delish.  The green beans were typical canned green beans with some black pepper added- not great, but the tangy tomato cucumber salad rocked.  The slightly sweet yet Chile smoked vinaigrette marinated the cucumbers, tomatoes, red onions, celery and cilantro perfectly.  This was a great, healthy and light dinner for after 7 pm.

Joe's Pizza, Pasta and Subs: This restaurant has now closed.  Cafe Italy II has opened in the location.

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

The Venue: Cuero

The Venue is a beautiful banquet facility located in downtown Cuero.  On this night, we are at the East Meets West event by JAM Productions.  Well known Chefs, Dorothy Huang and Molly Fowler, put their twists on a multi-course dinner.  The Chef's prepare the courses right in front of you while you get to enjoy the final product.  Local wines by Llano and brews by Spoetzel were served, and over 250 people were fed- definitely a success.

For appetizers, roasted pecans and trail mix from the Cuero Pecan House, marinated mushrooms, and Asian crab salad served in a Tostito scoop.  The marinated mushrooms were awesome, and the crab salad was pretty good with an Eastern twist: Ginger.  Next, a make-ahead Chinese cole slaw is served as the salad.  Once again, ginger dominated the slaw.

The main entree included oven roasted brisket with asian dry seasonings with a hoisin-lime sauce served with vegetable stir-fry and whole wheat noodles.  The brisket was beyond tender- totally able to cut it with a fork.  Unfortunately, the Chinese 5 spice seasoning was overpowering, and the hoisin sauce with brisket was too weird for my liking.  The vegetable stir fry was just lacking- there was no taste at all.

For dessert, chocolate rice puddings were served individually in mason jars.  I am definitely NOT a rice pudding person.  It is definitely the texture, so my tasting was plenty for me.  The rice farmers at our table just didn't understand it- seriously.

Overall, the 1st event from JAM Productions was a huge success.  I can't wait to attend their future events- the month of February was being thrown out- ummmm, maybe for my 40th birthday.  For more information, check out the following links:

The Cooking Depot
http://www.thecookingdepot.com/

The Venue on Church Street
http://www.thevenueonchurchstreet.com/

Molly Fowler- the dining diva
http://www.thediningdiva.com/

Dorothy Huang's Chinese Cooking
http://www.houstoncooking.com/

Cuero Pecan House
http://www.cueropecanhouse.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

Lil Thai House: Longview

Lil Thai House is tucked away in downtown Longview.  I am so glad that I found it because it is a nice diversion in East Texas.  Get there early as the place is tiny, and they run out of things like Spring Rolls.  The kitchen is right there in front of you, and your stomach will grumble while you wait for your food.

I started out with 2 Chicken Spring Rolls.

Chicken Spring Rolls: Vermicelli, chicken, cilantro, basil, lettuce, bean sprouts, and carrots wrapped in a rice paper.  They were excellent.  They are served with 2 unknown sauces: One was a little too salty; the Other was spicy yet sweet- very good!  These were definitely the Star of my Lunch.  Next,  Chicken Pad Thai.

Their Pad Thai has vermicelli, bean sprouts, chicken, tofu, egg, green onions; it's good, but I would love some fresh lime juice to squeeze on top of it.  Huge portions, so a to go box is a must. 

Though I thought it was a little pricey, people kept piling in.  Like I mentioned, get there early because it does fill up quickly.  It was hard to wait for my order because of all of the amazing smells- I was starving by the time it came!  Oh yah, they have a sign up that says "this is not fast food."   And, it is sure worth the wait!

Lil Thai House
212 N Fredonia St
Longview, TX
(903) 236-0155
www.lilthaihouse.com

Bake Cupcakes: Longview

I  finally found Bake Cupcakes, and I am so glad that I did.  Located in an older strip shopping center at Evergreen and Gilmer Road, the cute pink and black sign invites you in.  I actually arrived just before 11, so some of the cupcakes were not even ready!  Oh, but the ones that were.....

I tried an assortment: Fluff-N-Nutty, Snickerdoodle, Grandma's Birthday Cake, and Black and White. 

Where should I start?  From bottom up, the Snickerdoodle was like eating pure sugar.  The cinnamon swirled cake was covered with the most sugary icing ever.  It was actually hard to eat due to the sweetness.  Spend your money else where- see below.

The black and white was your typical moist black cupcake with a cream cheese icing with crumbled chocolate chips chunks on top.  It was good, but not great.

Grandma's Birthday Cake was really good.  It was a yellow cake with vanilla icing and sprinkles.  It was quite tasty!

The OMG star went to the Fluff-n-Nutty!  The chocolate cake was so moist, and then there was a surprise- marshmallow cream in the middle- wow!  To top it off, peanut butter icing and a marshmallow.  All I can say is that I have a new love: peanut butter icing!  It was to die for.

Bake Cupcakes has a new fan.  All of their cakes were moist and visually pleasing.  And, for the most part, they were pretty dang good!!!!  Their cupcake menu changes, so you can try something new each day.  See their website for the menu.  The next time you are in Longview, check Bake Cupcakes out.  You will not be disappointed.

Bake Cupcakes
1111 Evergreen
Longview, Texas
903/295-1212
http://www.bake-cupcakes.com/

Catfish Cabin: Lumberton

OK, don't let the name discourage you if you aren't into catfish.  It has a lot more to offer.  Though the original location was a quaint log cabin, the new location is a large "Woodsy" building closer to Lumberton.

When you walk in, the atmosphere feels bland- too large- reminds me of a Cracker Barrel!  Once seated, you get a basket of peanuts where you can throw your shells on the floor.  Of course, thanks to the trial lawyers, there are now disclaimers for the clumsy!

Their menu has the usual suspects of catfish, shrimp, and crab in various styles.  Tonight, its a toss of up between fried or grilled shrimp, so I opt for the combo which includes fried, grilled, and stuffed with grilled vegetables.  A trip to the salad bar is included.

The salad bar is actually pretty disappointing.  I'm not a fan of salad bars anyways.  There is cole slaw, salad fixings, and pudding as well as some other stuff!  The cole slaw was good- more vinegar based.  Nothing else stood out, and I would say it could have been skipped.

My meal arrived.  Skip the stuffed shrimp- they were bland and lacked anything and everything.  The fried shrimp were quite good.  They were cooked to perfection and slightly battered.  The real hits were the grilled shrimp and grilled vegetables.  Both were incredible.  Perfect in seasoning and smoke- yes, you could taste the "mesquite?" Plus, the vegetables had lots of carrots, sugar snap peas, squash, zucchini, and mushrooms.  Very, very good!

Overall, Catfish Cabin was pretty tasty.  I would come back, and the grilled shrimp would be my choice!  If you are north of Beaumont and crave some catfish or seafood, check it out.

Catfish Cabin
192 Lumberton Dr
Lumberton, TX 77657
(409) 755-6800
http://www.catfishcabin.com/