Hot Sauce Festival

'The only way to beat the heat, is to eat the heat'. The saying was perfectly true for last week's 21st Austin Chronicle Hot Sauce Festival. With triple-digit temperatures, the only way to get through the day was with an equally scorching mouth!

My friends and I noticed many people with Camelbacks walking into the event at Waterloo Park, and once we got in realized their purpose... Lets just way water was in high demand throughout the day.

We even made a picture in the Austin American-Statesman!

I was reppin' my Torchy's shirt, of course

http://galleries.statesman.com/gallery/austin-chronicle-hot-sauce-festival/#210091

Back in Austin!

Boy, does it feel so right to be back in Austin! I was out of the country for nearly all of July, and was in Dallas for the rest of the time. I tried to go to the movies as often as I could, and hit up some awesome restaurants in Dallas. Ziziki's, Eno's, Rise nº1, The Porch, Park on Henderson, The Common Table, Lumi, and La Duni were just a hanfull of some of my new favorite spots I ventured to this summer in Dallas. The majority of films I saw were decent... nothing stuck out as 'the must-see summer blockbuster', but my two favorite films were JJ Abram's secretive 'Super 8' and The New Times' 'Page One'.

 Abram's sci-fi epic was captivating and fresh. The cast's camaraderie and youthful spirit was reminiscent to Speilberg's 'Goonies', while the plot steered more towards Abram's bulk of work ('LOST', 'Fringe'). The film had me laughing, sympathetic, and on the edge of my seat -- a true roller-coaster of emotions! The short film that the kids entered into their contest (titled "The Case") played during the credits and was genius. A neat side-fact is that the children actually wrote and filmed the humorous film without any intervention from Abrams.

The New York Times' all access documentary was great. A film crew followed the newspaper tycoon for over a year - a very interesting period for print media as social media outlets and online news has taken over the 'age of information'. The current global recession occurs, and forces major cutback and layoffs within the media giant. During that same time, Wikileaks breaks on the scene and turns the news industry upside-down. The New York Times eventual compliance with the rouge media source eventually lands much them much critisism.. all the way up to the White House.

Dallas: Eno's Pizza Tavern

I love pizza of all shapes and sizes: cheese-crust, Chicago deep-dish, New York, and thin-crust. Eno's Pizza Tavern has not only mastered the thin-crust pizza in Dallas, but has a great atmosphere (often with live music multiple times a week), great service, and a beer selection that would please even the most sophisticated beer nerd. As a Dallas native, I've had pizza from all over the city. It was not until just recently I was introduced to Eno's Pizza Tavern... and my perception of Dallas' pizza capabilities were changed.
For starters, I ordered the Honey Chile Hog Wings, which the table ended up ordering another because they were amazing. This tender piece of pork came still on the bone (although it fell off instantly) in a cast iron skillet. The pork was glazed with local sweet honey and a red chile sauce. While the hog wings were sweet from the honey, the after-burn from the red chile was enough to make you reach for that cold brew -- but a good temperature burn.. the kind that makes you want to take another bite! The bleu cheese buttermilk dip was a great way to neutralized the spice and added a great deal of flavor. I also ordered the Harvest Pear Salad. Consisting of a mix of Arugula, local greens, and fresh Basil. The salad contained Bleu Cheese crubles, sliced Pears, Pancetta, and was all brought together with a Champagne Vinaigrette. The contents of the salad worked wonderfully together,  and the dressing really brought out their flavors.

When I go to a pizzaria like Eno's, I know I should just trust them and choose a pizza that is a selection on the menu, but when they offer customized pizzas.. I can't help but indulge. The pizza that I concocted was: Pepperoni, Hot Sausage, Charred Green Onion, Garlic, Fresh Basil, Jalapenos, Artichoke, and Sun Dried Tomatoes. These customized pizzas are called 'iPies' at Eno's. These thin-crust pizzas are the perfect size to split with somebody, or fully satisfy you if you are pretty starving.
In addition to great pizzas, Eno's offers a wide selection of salads, sandwiches, and Italian pastas.
It was quite unlike me, but I just couldn't push myself to get any dessert -- I was stuffed! I was regretting my decision when I saw some kind of Hot Brownie Sundae brought to the table next to me.

-- Their dedicated beer menu is vast and contains variety and character. From seasonal draughts, many local Texas microbrews, to 'Micro Cans', they have almost every flavorful beer you can think of. They also have a great wine selection.

Emo's Pizza Tavern is a must if you live in Dallas, or stopping by the area. I can't wait to venture back for dinner, possibly to try a sandwich or homemade pastas -- and most probably a desert!
A must-go for any pizza or beer lover!
Overall I give Emo's Pizza Tavern 5/5 stars! ★★★★★


Eno's Pizza Tavern: Menu (Dinner)

Eno's: Drink/Dessert Menu 

Out of the country!

Going to be out of the country for the next couple of weeks, I'll try to keep you guys posted.. but expect more updates and posts in August!
Thanks!
- Movies and Meals

'The Tree of Life'

       Written & directed by Terrence Malick and starring Brad Pitt and Sean Penn, 'Tree of Life' was sure to be an amazing production with high Oscar expectations. Although the trailers released did not shed much light on the plot or story line, I was excited to see it.

       With the guilt of his brother's teenage death heavy on his mind, Jack (Penn) looks back on his adventurous childhood, reflecting on his upbringing and family dynamic. His father (Pitt) was a stern  disciplinary who always made jack feel like he was never loved. Tensions with his father still exist today, and as Jack looks back at the guilt and grief his parents endured over his brother's untimely death, he tries to imagine what losing a child was like for them. While his father was strict and aggressive towards Jack and his brothers, his mother was quite the opposite - showering love onto her boys and allowing them to grow up free and rambunctious. His mother and father never did see eye-to-eye on parenting, but it was the stark contrast of discipline and love that made Jack into the successful man he is today "Father, Mother. Always you wrestle inside me. Always you will".
       'The Tree of Life' was a very deep and telling film. The cinematography was possibly one of the most stunning and interesting I have seen. The movie was littered with quick cuts to beautiful scenes spanning any situation, but always with a relevant theme. From shaky and honest scenes of Jack and his brothers playing in the front yard, cuts to the cosmos with distant and vibrant nebulas and stellar clusters, and flashes of nature's beauty or an architectural wonder. It was similar to a carousal of the beautiful and wondrous images one acquires throughout their life, flashing throughout the entirety of the film.

       With the likes of Brad Pitt and Sean Penn, I knew the performances in the film would be great, but in my eyes the great performances did not come from Pitt and Penn, but two unexpected actors. Jessica Chastain, playing the Jack's mother, and Hunter McCracken, who played Young Jack. Chastain's portrayal of grief was painfully realistic, as she morned for the death of her boy. As the film chronicled the life of her children, you could understand the genuine growth and love Chastain portrayed due to her exceptional performance. I was blow away by the honest and natural performances given by both child actors in the film, Mccracken, and Laramine Eppler (who played Jack's younger brother). They were believable and did an incredible job for 'Tree' to be their first project, ever.


      The film did an amazing job of portraying the growth and life of the O'Brien family. Such small and humanistic situations are portrayed during the boy's childhood, things that everybody can relate to and say, "Oh, I remember when I was a kid and used to do/think that!". Overall, the film was strangely fresh and raw. It had a true essence of nostalgia that simply mirrored the flittering and flashing memories that we think back to.
       I walked out of the theater and for the next day or two was stuck with the images and quotes from the movie. It really does make the viewer look into their own life and reflect on themselves. I really enjoyed the movie and thought it was a perfectly executed performance by the actors and writer-director Terrence Malick. I haven't given too many movies 5/5, but this deep and philosophical drama deserves it! ★★★★★

Dallas: rise nº1

I felt like I was in Southern France when I sat down at my table at rise nº1. The charming and rustic Southern France atmosphere was infectious. Every detail from the silverware to the service was perfect. The water was served in plain wine bottles and the glasses were wine bottles with the large divot on the bottom that had been cut where the neck begins and fashioned into perfect cups - I was infatuated with them! Rise nº1 is a French restaurant that has a very unique and particular cuisine -- soufflés. From entrees to appetizers, they have about twenty different soufflés on their menu ranging from classic Chocolate to Escargot or Jambon & Gruyere.

Wine bottle water glasses! Check out their online store to purchase

I ordered the rise nº1 salad for an appetizer, it is a light starter salad of baby greens, blue cheese, roasted pecans, Granny Smith apples & a pecan vinaigrette. To begin, we also got an order of the Artichoke Andrée for the table, which is a MUST HAVE when you go to rise nº1! Its a steamed artichoke served with the 'Hedda's family sauce', a light creamy and buttery sauce.

The Artichoke Andrée

 For my entree I ordered the Southwest Chicken soufflé. I was surprised how quick it came out - despite soufflés notorious slow reputation. It was unbelievable. I'm not going to lie...I love a good cheese or chocolate soufflé, but was skeptical about the more unorthodox soufflés. The Southwest Chicken was great. It was light and fluffy, but packed with flavor and much more filling than I imagined it would be. The texture of the top of was great, adding a little crunch... but the green chile salsa sitting on the top was my favorite. It really brought the dish together, giving it a little spice.

My Southwest Chicken Soufflé! SO good

I was FULL by they time it came to dessert, but couldn't pass it up! I ordered the apricot soufflé, and was blown away. I would go back to rise nº1 solely for the apricot dessert.. I really enjoyed rise nº1 because of its uniqueness and originality. With such a diverse menu, I can't wait to try the other options (but I think I'll have to get the apricot soufflé!). Overall I give rise nº1 5/5 stars! ★★★★★

Click HERE for rise nº1's online menu

Jack Allen's Kitchen

I did not realize until I got there, but Jack Allen's Kitchen was created and started by Chef Jack Gilmore, who was the head chef of Z-tejas. I could see some resemblance of character in the dishes after I learned this. Jack Allen's Kitchen is a take on modern American cuisine, and prides itself on their use of local and organic ingredients (the waiter told us the restaurant gets most all their ingredients from local farmer's markets). A sampler of homemade pimento cheese was given to us to snack on while browsing the amazing menu. For starters I chose the Baja Style Fish Tacos and Bacon Wrapped Texas Quail - and it was hard to narrow it down to two. From the Beef Rib Quesadillas to their Blue Crab Gratin, the selection of appatizers at Jack's was pretty stacked! I am a HUGE fan of fish tacos, but very selective and somewhat picky when it comes down to it. Two came with the order, and you are definitely getting your money's worth. Topped with avocado, pico de gallo, and JAK's slaw the tacos wrapped in a corn tortilla were delicious, and quite filling as well. The Quail was the appetizer I was most excited about. Six drumsticks came beautifully loaded with jalapeno and peach jam and bound with bacon and a small green fig salad on the side. The sweetness of the peach jam and the spice of the jalapeno jam clashed, but everything was brought together with the saltiness of the bacon and tenderness of the quail. 

Although it is an appetizer, I ordered the Spinach Gorgonzola Ravioli as my entree. They have a great selection of salads, burgers, tacos, and "chicken-fried anything"(including a chicken-fried beef rib!?), but the ravioli caught my eye. The ravioli came with walnut pesto cream sauce topped with grated Parmesan, dashes of a chipotle puree for a kick, and came with a side of ciabatta bread. The sauce covered all the ravioli, and I had to do a little fishing in order to claim my mouth-treasure -- but i wouldn't have it any other way, the sauce was amazing. The pesto was not 'too nutty' and really went well with gorgonzola. I really enjoyed the atmosphere at Jack Allen's; they had a very fun patio and bar outside that would be perfect for their happy hour. Overall, Jack Allen's Kitchen was a fresh, and great spot. 4/5 stars!★★★★☆

Jack Allen's Kitchen: menu

Don't Worry, Flip Happy!

I'm not the biggest crêpe fan, at least compared to my mother... but I certainly do like them. I've always liked dessert crêpes, but not a fan of having crêpe as an entrée because i see them more as a sort of pancake rather than tortilla. But thats just my food logic. I went to Flip Happy Crêpes over the weekend and was pretty impressed! Flip Happy has a prime location and set up right on the corner of Jessie and Butler, tucked away close to the P. Terry's Burger Stand on South Lamar. One thing that food carts seem to be lacking is ample tables or parking, but Flip Happy had more than enough of both of these, which was nice. I ordered the Roasted Chicken Crêpe and the Cinnamon & Sugar Crêpe for dessert. One thing I did find out the hard way was that they only take cash, but luckily there is a convenience store on the end of the block -- but it was not that convenient.

My Roasted Chicken Crêpe

The Roasted Chicken Crêpe was good, but I was not dying over it. It came with Goat Cheese, Caramelized Onions, and a Garlic aioli. All of these ingredients are amazing but just didn't work well. There was too much Goat Cheese, and it was a bit overpowering. I couldn't really taste the Garlic aioli, and the color and consistency of my crêpe was sort of bland. It was good, but I probably wouldn't order it again, rather choosing something new on the menu for next time. I don't mean to be too hard on the Roasted Chicken Crêpe, but its friend, the Cinnamon & Sugar Crêpe redeemed Flip Happy in my eyes!

This might of been the best dessert crêpe I've ever had (including those while I was in Germany and France last summer!). This was no typical dessert crêpe! The inside of the crêpe was folded with Cream Cheese frosting and Cinnamon while the top was littered with Toasted Coconut and Almonds and generously dusted with Powdered Sugar. The warm crêpe was delightful. All of the flavors melted and meshed together so well. It is worth going to Flip Happy solely for this. Although I was not a biggest fan of the Roasted Chicken, I will probably be back in the next week to get the Cinnamon & Sugar Crêpe again.. and will probably try a different entree. If you enjoy a good, quality crêpe you definitely need to make a trip down to Flip Happy Crêpes, you won't be disappointed! I'm going to give them 3.5/5 stars! ★★★✬☆

Check out there blog/menu here!

Walton's Fancy & Staple

Going into Walton's I had high expectations, knowing that it was started by the same people that brought us Bess Bistro (right down the street). What a refreshing menu and atmosphere! Walton's is the perfect place for coffee or lunch and wears several impressive hats. With full bakery, deli, coffee menus Walton's has much to offer, and lets not forget about the fully-stocked flower store in the back! All aspects of the restaurant/deli mesh really well together, and the atmosphere is able to blend a classic and modern French feel. The Deli menu has a range of sandwiches and salads that boast organic and exceptional ingredients. I asked what their most popular sandwich was, and the woman said the Roast Beef Bleu was the most popular and her personal favorite. I had already been eyeing the sandwich - so it was a done deal. The Roast Beef Blue came with Gorgonzola, Red Onions, Watercress, with a horseradish aioli all on Rye.

My Roast Beef Bleu!

They had my favorite flavor of Zapp's Potato Chips :Voodoo (a secret cajun twist of flavors)... I was in heaven. The sandwich came out piping hot, and I could already tell I was going to love it. The toasted rye bread was lightly buttered and glistened just enough so I knew it wasn't soggy.  I probably should of waited a minute or three before indulging myself, but I just couldn't wait. The Rye was amazing, and I am not personally a big Rye fan. The sandwich complemented itself nicely, the Gorgonzola was not too overpowering, while the horseradish aioli gave a fresh, spice aftertaste that was perfect with the roast beef. This was one of my favorite sandwiches in Austin thus far, up there with the likes of Fricano's Deli! I would recommend Walton's, a perfect place for lunch or for a quality coffee stop - I can't wait to go again 5/5 ★★★★★!

Hunger

'Hunger' is a very different type of movie. Based on the violent 1981 Irish hunger strikes, Steve McQueen directs a unique and visually captivating film. Starring Michael Fassbender (Jane Eyre, 300) as Bobby Sands - the IRA leader who, while imprisoned, leads the historic hunger strike of the Maze Prison. The visual components of the film were beautiful. He contrasts the beautiful life outside with the very violent scenes of torture and human rights violations.
McQueen draws upon the lack of dialog to create an eerie and empty feel throughout the film simply to reflect the solitary life in prison. After an hour and fifteen minutes of minimal dialog, one of the most impressive single-shot conversation sequences (that lasts about 12 minutes) ensues.. and is truly impressive. Sands talks to his priest, warning him that he is about to spearhead the hunger strikes; the two then argue about conforming to the British government and the dangers of staying loyal to Ireland. It took me about three minutes to realize that the dialog was being captured in a continuing shot, and the conversation lasted about nine minutes. The amazing performance given by Fassbender is nearly overshadowed by his scary physical transformation. Similar to Christian Bale's extreem weight loss for  'The Machinist', Fassbender dropped to an alarming weight in preparation for the role. I was so touched/disturbed by this movie that I was thinking about it days after watching it, it really resonateed with me. I haven't given many movies 5/5, but this dark drama deserves it! 5/5 Stars ★★★★★

Mighty Cone!

I like to venture to food carts at odd hours so I can beat the potential crowds and shamelessly stuff myself. When I came to Mighty Cone, it was 3:15pm and I was starving... luckily I was the only one there. I might of out-ordered myself, but hey, that's what it is all about!

 The first thing I noticed when approaching the food cart were the custom cone-holders that were attached to the middle of every bench, and I was about to find out they function perfectly. I ordered the Hot & Crunchy Chicken Cone, Hudson's Cone Dog, and one Beef burger with Chili-dusted Fries (pictured below). I don't drink bottled water because of its ecological impact, but was so happy when I saw that they offered Richard's Rainwater, "fresh cloud juice". Its the only bottled water that is all natural rainwater - it tastes great and a good way to be green! 

My Order!

The cones feature a tortilla fit to the inside of the cone that embraces the contents inside - a mobile taco that isn't messy and yummy! I thought my favorite would be the Chicken Cone, but I was actually most impressed with the Beef Burger and Hudson's cone dog, which I almost didn't order. The beef burger was quite small, but ended up being filling and quite dense. It was amazing! It came on a soft wheat bun, dressed with red onions, lettuce, American cheese, and a special sauce that was subtle, but had a great spicy aftertaste. The burger came with an order of chili-dusted french fries that were so fresh and good, they really complemented the burger. Hudson's Cone Dog (on the right) was a butterflied grass-fed venison sausage with a zesty honey-mustard and topped with slaw that really brought the gamey flavors of the venison together with the sweet sauce. It ended up being my favorite thing I ordered! I was so full and satisfied upon leaving. I simply can't wait to go back. I give Mighty cone 4/5 Stars! ★★★★☆

Mighty Cone's Menu

The Ragin' Cajun

Evangeline Café was a shot in the dark. My friends and I had tried looking up a new restaurant and were feeling in the mood for something cajun.. and what we got was Evangeline's. The atmosphere was awesome,  everything cajun from jerseys to guitars were cluttered upon the wall, and the live band singing about the bayou fit in perfectly. We got an an assortment of appetizers, the "Gator Bites", Green Wings, and the Boudin. I had never had alligator before and was eager to taste it. Just like they say "it tastes like chicken"... it did, but much more flavorful. The bites were deep fried and covered with the perfect amount of spicy cajun aioli. The Green Wings were buffalo wins with a cajun twist. They were just the right spicy and went perfectly with the side of bleu cheese. The Boudin tasted just like I had had it while in New Orleans last summer, and if I didn't know better, I'd think I was still there.

 I love a great Crawfish Etoufee, but the Stuffed Pork Chop caught my eye. The waitress said that its one of their newest additions to the menu, so I had to try it!. I sure am glad I went out on a limb - it was delicious and something out of the ordinary for me. The pork chop was butterflied and folded back with a pecan pesto seeping over the sides. A generous serving of gravy and fried onion string topped the chop, and really complemented the pecan pesto. The entrée came with a side of white rice and a 'side of okra stewed with tomatoes, onions, and bacon'. This stew was amazing, and usually something I wouldn't like. Caught up in the atmosphere I felt like I had to indulge in one of the many Abita beers ('Louisiana's Finest') hat Evangeline's offers. I got the Abita Restoration Ale, and really enjoyed it. Their seasonal Abita brew was a strawberry beer that my friend was compelled to get. I am a lover of strawberries, so of course i had to try some of his. It was exceptionally good, with only a fait strawberry taste towards the aftertaste. I will for sure be going back to Evangeline when I get that cajun craving. Im giving Evangeline Café 4½/5 stars! ★★★★✬

Evangeline Café's Menu

¡Coreanos!

My friend was raving last week after he tried the Mexican/Korean taco stand that is usually on 24th and Rio Grande, so I decided I had to see for myself. I drive past Coreanos quite often, and usually there are about 30 people looming about the place, needless to say I went early and avoided the crowd. I ordered 3 different tacos:
   - Marinated Beef Short Rib
   - Spicy Chicken Marinated Chicken
   - Spicy Twice-Cooked Port Belly

Spicy Chicken, Pork Belly, and Beef Short Rib tacos (not bad for my first in-blog photo!)

And I must say, they were amazing! For a small taco, they really did pack a punch! They all came on a corn tortillas topped with a Korean slaw and were juicy and flavorful as hell! The Pork Belly was my favorite, even though they said the Marinated Beef Short Rib taco was their most popular. They have an interesting menu offering burritos, bacon-wrapped hotdogs, and an assortment of Korean take of what I presume "chili-cheese fries", but with the Coreanos twist. I can't wait to go back, it was simply delightful. I give Coreanos 4/5 stars! ★★★★☆  Check out their website or follow their twitter to stay updated with their cart schedule @CoreanosTX.


Coreanos Menu

'Bar is Open!'

Think what you want about Tom Cruise, but his charisma and superb acting in most all of his movies has contributed in making him such a successful actor. Such iconic movies as 'Top Gun', 'Risky Business', 'Jerry McGuire' have been made possible by this brilliant actor. I just recently saw 'Cocktail' and was equally impressed.

Bryan Flanagan (Cruise) is ambitious and dead-set on "making millions" in New York City, a goal he finds is easier said than done. Struggling to land a job, Cruise ends up bartending with his 'partner in crime' and mentor played by Bryan Brown. Using his good looks and charm, Cruise excells in the bar-tending world...but after a fallout with Brown, Cruise moves down to Jamaica to try and exploit the rich assholes that vacation there. Cruise is dealt a hard hand and learns many lessons upon returning back to New York, but in the end, finally gets to open his bar 'Flanagan's Cocktails and Dreams'. Throughout the movie there was an excess of bottles flipping and corny song-and-dance behind the bar, but the chemistry between Cruise and Brown proved believable. The glorification of a bartender's job truly made the occupation look enjoyable, and kind of made me want to enjoy a specialty drink while i was watching! The theme of bartender poems was out of place, but I found them pretty funny myself. It was not my favorite of Cruise's movies, but once again, he stood out and carried the cast. I  thought it gets 2½/5 stars! ★★✬☆☆

Sazón

I was not particularly in the mood for Mexican food when my friends outnumbered me and decided we were going to Sazón. When we sat down on the outside patio, the first thing i noticed was the dense, authentic Mexican Menu. When I started to digest the menu, I saw many Mexican staples that were truly classics. My family has a house in Cuernrvaca, Mexico that we try and go to about once a year. We have a cooking staff who prepares the best Mexican food, so I was fortunate enough to have a pretty accurate basis in which to judge the authenticity of Sazón. 

My friends and I ordered both quesos that they offered, a Tex-Mex version that we Texans are probably most familiar with, "Queso Gringo", the "Choriqueso", which has monterey cheese melted with chorizo and pico de gallo. Both of the quesos were excellent, but my favorite was the Choriqueso. It was fabulous, and it reminded me of Javier's "Cheese Panela" in Dallas. My family's favorite soup we have in Mexico is a corn chowder, and when I saw that Sazón had Crema de Elote I had to get it - and I'm glad I did, it did not disappoint! This corn chowder was the closest thing I've been able to find.. creamy and refined, the smooth soup had just enough corn flavor to not become too overwhelmingly corny.For my entrée I ordered the Chile Relleno, and like the chowder, it is one of my favorite prepared dishes at our house, so i decided I'd see how it compared. It came with a side of rice and beans that were prepared identically to the traditional Mexican style. The plablano pepper was stuffed with chicken and and had a creamy chilpotle sauce over the lightly fried peper. It was very surprisingly true to the original! I left very impressed with Sazón. The atmosphere was great outside on the patio, and the food was amazing as well, I will definitely be going back to get my fix of authentic Mexican dishes! 4/5 stars! ★★★★☆


Sazón Menu

Hop-damn!

Hopdoddy's:
I can't believe I've been living in Austin this long and just now getting around to eating at Hopdoddy's. But it was well worth the wait! The amazing smell was the first thing that hit me right when I walked in: fresh buns literally coming out of the oven, french fries, and something that I really couldn't put my finger on. This was a Wednesday for dinner, and the line was practically to the door.."it must be worth it" I thought to myself.

The sign speaks for itself.. fresh and all natural!

The service deserves a post within itself. It was incredible. While my friends and I were waiting in line there were two or three servers asking for drink orders, offering menus, answering questions - I was quite impressed. Even while we were enjoying our meal our waitress came by 3 times just to check in! Previewing the menu online earlier that day, my afternoon had been filled with the banter in my head over which burger to get... I just couldn't decide, so I got two:
(1) The Buffalo Bill: a buffalo patty, blue cheese, apple-smoked bacon, and Frank's Hot Sauce
(2) The Greek: Lamb, feta cheese, pickled red onions, cucumbers, and served with a side of tzatziki sauce

The Buffalo Bill

Both of these burgers were amazing! The buns were soft and made from scratch, and you really could tell. The Buffalo Bill was your typical 'Bacon and Blue' burger.. but the Frank's Hot Sauce added a special kick that wasn't too spicy, but complemented the firm and bitter blue cheese and the thick smokey bacon. While both burgers were delicious in their own way, but The Greek really stood out. The lamb was so tender and juicy, exactly how lamb should be. All the additional flavors that the cucumber, feta, and onion added all came together with their tzatziki sauce. Everything meshed and was complemented each layer seamlessly.
I was so happy (and so full) with my meal, I think it is safe to say that Hopdoddy's is my new favorite 'burger joint' in Austin - and that is saying a lot! Overall I though the modern and clean atmosphere of the restaurant, the amazing service, and the broad range of crafted burgers came together perfectly at Hopdoddy's. I give it 5 out of 5 stars! ★★★★★

Hopdoddy's Menu

Docu-Binge

Its been a while since I've posted.. been busy watching some movies! Over the past week I've been watching many documentaries. Two of my favorite were 'Exit Through the Gift Shop' and 'Waking Sleeping Beauty'.

Waking Sleeping Beauty
This was a very detailed and well-made documentary chronicling Disney during the critical period of the late 80s and Early 90s. Because this period birthed the most famous and iconic Disney movies, and the movies I grew up such as "Beauty and the Beast", "Aladdin" and other classics. The path that Disney was going down in the late 80s focused less on the disney staple of animation, and more on merchandising and attractions.

The animation department was actually downsized, and animators feared that they could lose their job at any time. Because of the executives that were brought in at the time to shift the business around, there was a special spark of success that was a 180 degree from the lull of the 80s. Disney had a lot of footage that was used in the documentary, and it really helped the production of the movie. It was a very interesting inside-view of one of the biggest names in the film industry, and the problems they overcame. Overall, I would give the film four out of five stars: ★★★★☆

Exit Through the Gift Shop
This was a very special documentary, with a twist. The infamous British street artist, Banksy, made this documentary centering around a Frenchman who thought he was making the documentary about Banksy. Up for an academy award this year,  this documentary dives deep into the secretive world of rising street art.

I think that the concept of the street art phenomenon is truly fascinating. Thierry Guetta, the focus of the documentary, is the Frenchman who obsessively video records his life. He stumbles into the scene of street art while in France, and gets addicted to the rush of the situation. Through a series of circumstances he gets involved and starts to follow around street artists in the LA area, claiming he would make a documentary. The tables get turned when he meets his idol Banksy, the famed British street artist. Because Thierry has literally documented everyday of his life, and has a room devoted to holding his thousands of tapes, the documentary was very well pieced together, capturing some great moments. The 'rush' of street art even seeps through the screen and is contagious to the viewers while educating them of the history and underground profession. I'd give the documentary FIVE OUT OF FIVE STARS! 'Enter Through the Gift Shop' is the first movie to get this rating and presitgious honor. ★★★★★

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"My Name Is Charles Bronson, And All My Life I've wanted To Be Famous"

"Bronson", staring Tom Hardy (Inception, Layer Cake) is a bio-pic of 'Britain's most dangerous Inmate', a story I had no idea about until watching this movie. The physical transformation Hardy underwent deserves a post of itself, but it is Hardy's portrayal of Charles Bronson that was truely amazing. He said that he and Charles actually became friends as they had a friendship spoken over the phone as Hardy was preparing for the role. The story is told in a peculiar fashion, with a fourth dimension, breaking down the barriers of conventional interviews. As the movie progresses it is littered with interviews of Bronson (Hardy) commenting on the story line. The "fourth dimension" comes from a stand-up sequence also sequenced throughout the movie. Here we see what Charles Bronson is actually thinking, and showing how playful and sadistic he really is. During this whole time, Bronson is painted up like a mime/clown as he entertains the crowd, who hysterically enjoys his routine. This is one of those movies that really sticks with you and makes you think about it days down the road. The film is raw and pretty gritty, the fight sequences were captured very well and the soundtrack to the movie fits seamlessly. I really enjoyed this movie, and give it 4 and stars:★★★★☆

The Tillman Story

The Tillman Story
I had seen a preview for this movie a year or two back, and in my constant curiosity of all things conspiracy was excited when I finally found the movie. I obviously didn't pay attention to the news as much as I do now because the whole 'Tillman Case' was unfamiliar to me.

The Movie was very-well made, with in-depth interviews by all the members of his family, and even the soldiers who witnessed the horrifying accounts of his accidental death. Pat Tillman a former linebacker for the Arizona Cardinals left the NFL and a multi-million contract to enlist in the Army, fell victim to friendly fire in a accidental situation. The military cover-up was found out, and generals to the highest level were to blame. It's an issue that deals with the morality and ethics of our government, and really astonished me. It was a great documentary that was eye-opening and well made and gives you just a peek through the keyhole the extent of government cover-ups and conspiracies.
I really enjoyed this documentary, I give it four and a half out of five stars: ★★★★✬

NxNW and Lotus Hunan

This past week I have gone out twice to eat; my dad was in town and took my sisters and I out to dinner. The next night I went out to dinner with the Nom Crew.
Both places we went I had researched and made sure they were up to par.

North by NorthWest
My dad took us to the restaurant and brewery, North By NorthWest (NxNW). I was very impressed with all that it had to offer. They had amazing appetizers and a wide range of entrées. Unfortunately we were all too full indulge in any dessert. We ordered the appetizer sampler, which came with four items: fried calamari, buffalo wings, fried artichoke hearts, and sausage-stuffed mushrooms. It came with three different dipping sauces that went well with everything. I ordered the Asian Chicken Salad (you'll soon figure out that that is my go-to dish, and I am always trying to find a great Asian chicken salad). It was good, but not the best asian chicken salad I've had, and next time i go back I will definitely be trying something different. One of my sisters ordered the Orange Chicken, which she let me try and so very good; it was moist and the orange sauce wasn't too overpowering. We went on a monday and the Tortilla-crusted Tilapia was the special of the day. My other sister ordered it and was very pleased. My father ordered the Lemon Shrimp Linguini, which he enjoyed as well.
The really cool thing about North by NorthWest is that they are a brewery and brew their own beer on site. They offer 5 different types of beer, and had a sixth option that was seasonal. My sister and I tried three of the six beers, and I really enjoyed each one I tried. I ordered their seasonal hefeweizen, which was quite bitter, but full in flavor, and their "Duckabush Amber" which was smooth and 'hoppy'.
The atmosphere was very modern and chic, and had a really homey feel at the same time.
I would give North by NorthWest 4½ out of 5 stars: ★★★★✫       http://nxnwbrew.com/

Lotus Hunan Chinese Restaurant
The other restaurant I ventured to this week with some of my buddies was Lotus Hunan Chinese Restaurant in Westlake, Austin. On the way, all of my friends were talking about how they had not been able to find a solid Chinese restaurant, besides P.F. Chang's or a Pei Wei, in Austin... or they weren't as easy to find as compared to our hometowns of Dallas and Houston. I can confidently say that we all left satisfied and happy that we had found the place that we were all looking for. The service was UNBELIEVABLE, almost "too good" if you know what I mean. Our waitress was coming to our table every other minute checking in, and our waters were constantly being filled before they even got to the halfway mark. The food was very solid. Three friends ordered the WonTon Soup, and really enjoyed it, while a friend and I ordered the Crab Ragoons as an appetizer. There was no dipping sauce that came with our ragoons, but our waitress quickly made us a sweet & spicy concoction in the kitchen and brought it out for us.. it was awesome! Tangy and sweet - it really complemented the ragoons. Two friends ordered your standard Sesame Chicken, which they both raved about. Another ordered Kung Pow Chicken, and I never got feedback on it, but he didn't say anything negative (so I am going to take that as a good thing). I ordered the Pan Fried Noodles with Beef, Pork, and Shrimp. I wanted to get something new, and the waitress said it was one of her favorites. It was prepared with a brown sauce and served over fried noodles, which were crunchier than I thought. I was really impressed with the dish and glad I decided to venture out of my Chinese comfort zone.
Overall, the food was solid and the service was great. I'd give it 4 stars: ★★★★☆    http://www.lotushunan.com/index.html

Step on it Velma!

Watching two movies on Sunday afternoon, I had no idea that Willy Wonka - Gene Wilder - would be the common thread in both movies. Although he held minor roles , Wilder is memorable in both films; "Blazing Saddles" and "Bonnie & Clyde". "Bonnie and Clyde"(1967) was Wilder's first major motion picture appearance, he had done several television shows and a made-for-tv movie prior.

My dad and his friends had been quoting lines from Mel Brook's "Blazing Saddles" and wheezing with hysteria with every recollection, so I knew I needed to see this one. The comedy is based on a black slave who gets appointed sheriff of a town in the west by the governor and is a scapegoat. The movie was riddled slapstick comedy and racist antics - which was expected considering the subject matter and plot. I really do admire the genius behind comedies of this era, such as 'Airplane'. The movie was hilarious and absurd in the best sense. At one point in the climactic fight scene the entire cast stumbles onto another Warner Brother's set and comically interrupts the filming of another movie. Wilder played the drunkard deputy who was second in command and easily overcomes the racial differences between he and the sheriff.  Overall, I thought this racy comedy got 4 stars. ★★★★✩

The next film I watched, which I had been wanting to see for a while was Faye Dunaway & Warren Beatty's iconic 'Bonnie & Clyde' (1967). Both stars gave an amazing performance along with Gene Hackman. The portrayal of the strange relationship between Bonnie Parker and Clyde Barrow given by these two actors is usually what comes to most people's minds when they think of the gangster couple. I was taken away by Dunaway's beauty and Beatty's performance, although the movie was not as historically accurate as I has hoped it was. In his first movie, Wilder plays an everyday man who just happens to get he and his car stolen by the Barrow gang. I laughed to myself when I realized that he had been in two, completely opposite, movies that i had seen in one day... And the only other movie I had seen of his was 'Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory'. I enjoyed the movie, and give it three and a half stars: ★★★✫✩

Popcorn & a Popped Cherry

My first post on my first blog.. didn't think I'd be one of 'those guys' that has his own blog and talks about pointless and mundane things and instances. Although yes, I do now have this blog, I will not be filling its posts will stupid fluff. This blog is dedicated to my love of cinema and good eats!

Among many things that I do, eating - or dining - is one that I take great pleasure in. I'm always searching for new food and trying new things. I've very open and love experiencing different cultures through food. Living in Austin, Tx is wonderful for the culinary aspect (as well as many others). There is a melting pot of different types and styles of food and a full range of variations... from food carts, to chic and cutting-edge restaurants and everything in-between.
A group of friends and I have a list of new and exceptional restaurants in our area that we have researched. and we try to go at least once a week. We have dubbed ourselves the "Nom Crew". I will be posting updates about the places it will take us. I will try to upload as many pictures of my meals as I can

I have always been enchanted by the movie-going experience. I enjoy all genres... drama and comedy to horror and thrillers. It takes many components in a film that must seamlessly come together for quality cinema magic to happen. I will keep yall updated on the latest movies I've seen in theaters and that I have watched lately.