You get Chinese takeout from Paulie’s Fine Sushi and Bait Shop. You remember to get an extra set of chopsticks, one for you and one for the drawer; for later, right? When you make a stir-fry you’ve got extra chopsticks that way. In any case, you [...]

It’s not often anymore that my wife and I are both out-and-about at lunchtime. Not like in the olden days. (Cue nostalgic music. Okay, that’s enough.) It happened yesterday, though, and we took full advantage of it. Our mutual timing was off, so I got [...]

1. The Quest Begins Anew (Just Pho Me): Mai Lien Bistro This entry is part of a series, Austin Scene» This...
2. Phil’s Ice House, an Austin-Weird Place for Great Burgers This entry is part of a series, Austin Scene» Freshly...
3. Pho Lee Vietnamese, It’s Total-Lee Pho (and Very Good) This entry is part of a series, Austin Scene» I...

Once upon a time, college kids did crazy things. Like stuffing phone booths. Or seeing how many frat rats could fit in a Volkswagen Beetle. (Or moving said Beetle into odd places, if it happened to belong to the new assistant prof of English; but [...]

This story begins the way all good tales have, since the beginning of storytelling: “Once Upon a Time…”

Well, once upon a time I discovered pho. Okay, I didn’t actually discover it outright (I’m not THAT famous), but I got talked into going into a small, [...]

All I can say about this recipe is, the devil made me do it. And eat it too!

There are many versions of this dish, with names from Chicken Diablo to Pollo del Diavolo and more. Each one lays claim to the “original” title, of course, [...]

1. Chicken With Orange-Thyme Sauce and Rum-Soaked Bread Pudding This entry is part of a series, RdJ» Tonight’s dinner...

More than a year ago I introduced you to the spicy saltines craze. Since then I’ve mentioned a variation or two. They’re ridiculously easy to make, and even easier to make disappear. They go great with most any snack.

Their only drawback: They ain’t no stinkin’ diet [...]

1. Recipe du Jour: Pulled Pork and Waffles This entry is part of a series, RdJ» Some of...

Yes, it’s Lent. Goodbye Fat Tuesday…

Wifey says that some of us, including some of y’all out there in Readerland, need to get serious about fish for Friday for the next six weeks. (She also says you know who you are.) Then she gave me The [...]

1. Fish 4 Friday: Thai Monkfish Soup This entry is part of a series, F4F 2011» Ugly....

Ugly. That’s all you can call it. Ugly, UGly, UGLY! (And no, I never dated somebody who looked like that; it’s a rude and vicious slander. She could take her dentures out to soak.)

It’s also called a monkfish. Or an angler fish. If you look [...]

1. Fish 4 Friday: Catalonian Style Fillet of Sole This entry is part of a series, F4F 2011» Tomatoes...

(Note: Before the flamers get a chance at this note, I want to remind everybody that this review is about a buffet place. It’s not fine dining, and even the owners don’t claim it as such. So temper your expectations, and try to read this review as a comparison to other buffet restaurants. Trust [...]

It may be GYCOM, but that doesn’t mean everything’s gotta be chili or soup. We’ll take a small detour today, into the realm of grilled fish. It’s still grilling weather down here, and I know that trout season is still rolling along in other locales. Here’s a way to avoid the dreaded, boring “Same [...]