Bar Food Gone Classy: Max's Wine Dive Coming Soon!

Max's Wine Dive, which originated in Houston, TX, was "named one of the "Hot 10" Wine Bars in the country," according to Bon Appetit in October 2008, and it's coming to Austin next month! Its home away from home will be located at 207 San Jacinto, and is currently under construction.

I scoped out the menu online, and it seems to be one-of-a-kind...not following traditional trends of mixing bar food with beer, but rather putting a classy twist on casual bar food, and pairing it with wine. You'll find creative comfort (bar) food menu options, such as Gulf-spacho (cold vegetable and seafood soup), Buffalo Sliders, Gator Bites, Max&Cheese with an added twist of truffle oil, Kobe Beef Burgers, the Texas "Haute" Dog, and even The Tree Hugger (a focaccia sandwhich with veggies). There are also some healthy options, including Salmon, Sea Bass, and a variety of fresh salads.

Just a heads up, don't confuse this bar food with $5 chicken wings, or a cheap order of fries. I describe it as classy casual...the "classy" referring to the higher price range, and the "casual" describes their inspiration for the menu. In fact, the cheapest wine-by-the-glass I saw was a $8.75 Malbec, but, in this town, they're bound to have happy hour specials!

Group Entertainment Spot/Restaurant Coming Soon: Max's Wine Dive at 207 San Jacinto in Downtown Austin, opening May 2009. FYI, they also have lunch and brunch (this looks delicious, and the most reasonable of all of their menus).

Maria's Taco Xpress!

*Photo courtesty of http://www.tacoxpress.com/

As much as I'd like to say that I come up with all of my "Rebeccammendations," you loyal followers should know that I often receive rec's from many valuable sources (and I will give credit where it's due, but not reveal the top secret ones:)). Several of my friendly advisors suggested we hold the 2nd Austin Breakfast Club meeting at Maria's Taco Xpress on South LAMAR...(I misdirected the group to S. 1st and take full responsibility for anyone who never arrived as a result). Rule #1 for entertaining: pick the right location, and if you've never been there, ask questions and make a plan for entertaining a large group there (do you need reservations? is there outdoor seating that's first-come, first-serve? are Sunday's busy?). This is where I learned my lesson. You see, Maria's Taco Xpress is not just a little cafe hidden off of S. Lamar that draws visitors only by it's visible-from-the-street sign of Maria inviting guests with her open arms. It is a large operation. There must have been at least 150 hungry and loyal visitors, between the inside and the outside patio. This Sunday happened to be a particularly busy Sunday for Maria's, as there was a line out the door for those waiting to order their authentic breakfast and lunch tacos. Despite the challenge for gathering up enough chairs to seat our group, and getting everyone through the long line and to finally receive their tacos, it was a great location! Bottom line--it's Austiny, it's fun, it has an outdoor patio, and indoor seating, it has breakfast tacos, spicy salsa, and there's something about the anticipation of waiting for your order number to be called that makes the delicious tortillas filled to the brim worth waiting for!

*Entertainment tip: If you're headed there with a group, make sure to arrive ahead of time to secure a table while your guests get in line to order. It get's packed, but a healthy sign of a hoppin' business and tasty food!

Breakfast/Lunch/Mexican Restaurant Recommendation: Maria's Taco Xpress on S. Lamar. Also, check out Taste No Evil Muffins, housed in an old trolley (or Austin's Dillo) in the parking lot out front, if you're looking for a local sweet treat, freshly made by Karisa Prestera . Flavors range from Cran Bran Breakfast Bonanza, to Chocolate Sinsation, and even gluten-free flavors that include Chocolate-Almond. MMMMmm...

"What's your flava...tell me what's your flava"

*Photo from designld.com

When it comes to flavor and good taste, whether with botanical design, or creative s'mores, La-Dee-Dah and Treat know how to do it right. This weekend, I was entertaining Jason, a special family friend, during his first trip to the ATX. It was undebatable that we had to show him the quirky Austin trailors, with a stop at Torchy's Tacos at the South Austin Trailor Park & Eatery on S. 1st. As we were waiting for our tacos, I stepped inside the La-Dee-Dah trailor that I had heard so much about. Inside, I was surprised to find such unique botanical creations by Lauren Dolinksy of LD Design Studio made of succulents, colorful rocks, and even branches arranged in such a way that I was drawn to them, admiring every detail. (For those of you who aren't familiar, succulents are plants that retain water, and are therefore eco-friendly, which makes these fall under my Green Entertaining Rebeccamendation category). After talking to the expert working there, I learned that these are "plants for people who kill plants," meaning, they require very little water, mostly misting every few days, and that the only risk is too much watering, not too little. I immediately thought this "botanical couture" (as described on the designld.com website) would be a unique gift for a housewarming party, or really a gift for any occasion, where these living works of art could serve as a conversation-starter centerpiece, or a piece of art to decorate a living space and catch the eye of visiting guests. La-Dee-Dah also houses hand-made headbands, home accessories, cards, gifts, and even "Chai Ya'll" and "Chai Fidelity" specially-designed American Apparel t-shirts.

I also learned that Treat, the flavored "designer" s'mores station at the end of the trailor will be relocating to it's very own airstream trailor home at the South Austin Trailor Park & Eatery near the 2nd week of April. I can't wait to try this spin on the classic outdoor dessert, with flavored marshmallows that range from Raspberry, to Chocomint, to Lavender Lemon. There is even a private campfire for roasting if you visit this tasty trailor.

Entertaining Decor Recommendation: Botanical art by Lauren (LD Design Studio) at La-Dee-Dah

Dessert Entertainment Activity any time: Treat's flavored marshmallow s'mores at the new airstream trailor coming soon this April.

Breakfast Taco/Lunch Recommendation: Torchy's Tacos at the S. Austin Trailor & Eatery, S. 1st.

It's not sweet-ish, it's just sweet!

I am eating Sweetish Hill Bakery and Cafe's unforgettable, crave-licious, tuna sandwhich as we speak (and I don't even want to put it down to write this, but for the sake of enhancing your life, I'll put off my next bite a few minutes), and it is just as fresh, and magnetic as always. If you're a tuna person, you HAVE to try it. I like it on their fresh-baked-daily wheat bread, with a firm, but soft crust embellished with sesame seeds to enhance the flavor. Sweetish Hill has been an Austin tradition for 30 years, and is still going strong! The main location is on W. 6th, but there is a hidden back door to their smaller location in the Baker Botts building on Cesar Chavez, that I frequent on days when I run out of fresh groceries and can get out of the office to take a bite into this delicacy. Something about the off-the-beaten path small location makes me feel like I know about an Austin best-kept secret...but now you have the key! Their motto is "Taste Buds Remember," and after having this once, my taste buds have never forgotten, and always find their way back to Sweetish Hill.

Protein and flavor-packed lunch recommendation: Sweetish Hill Bakery & Cafe, specifically their tuna sandwich!

Hustle Over to Russell's Bakery

My friend Batami belongs in Europe. At least when it comes to dessert and coffee. These are two things she can't live without, no matter the time of day, and despite her love for sugary indulgance, she always looks great! She was visiting this past weekend, and she requested that we escape into the quickly-passing morning, as time always flies with good friends, to a coffee shop for her breakfast of choice...coffee and a pastry. So, I used this opportunity to try out Russell's Bakery, which I saw as a high ranker on an Austin360.com poll for the best bakery in Austin. After researching it, I realized their original location is up North, but their newest location is in Jefferson Sqaure on Kerby Lane (right off of 38th) and almost next door to Kerby Lane Cafe.

Coffee and Breakfast Recommendation: Russell's Bakery. If you're not feelin' the wait at the original Kerby Lane Cafe, hop next door for a delicious cup of coffee and a pastry, baked fresh daily. They also have a simple lunch menu with fresh salads, soups, and sandwiches. Download a buy one, get one 1/2 off sandwich coupon here. This Jefferson location has a cozy, European cafe feel, with a spacious patio outside for those sunny Sunday mornings or for a leisurely mid-day meal. They will be introducing their Brunch menu on April 12th (Easter Sunday), and I'm definitely adding this to our list for a future Austin Breakfast Club meeting location. And, rumor has it, a dinner menu will be debuted on April 14th!

The Elefant Who Ate Too Much Pizza

When I was a little girl, my Dad told me a bedtime story about "The Elefant Who Ate Too Much Pizza." I'm not sure what happened to the elephant, and I don't think the purpose was to teach me early on about portion control, but I do know he told it to me because pizza was my favorite food....especially from...yes, the one and only gourmet El Paso franchise treat...Peter Piper Pizza. Since then, I've forgotten the bedtime story, and my taste buds have matured. In my life mission to eat healthy food, I don't splurge on pizza unless it's reallly good. And, let me tell you, my latest local Austin find is fantastic...light, thin crispy crust, and excellent flavour!

Pizza Recommendation for lunch or dinner: Salvation Pizza is located on 34th Street, west of Guadalupe, in a typical Hyde Park-type house-turned-restaurant, one of Austin's distinguishers that gives it a comfortable and livable feel. It is just delish...no need for any other words...head over there now, you will love it! Also, they have daily lunch specials, 2 pieces, a lunch salad, and 16 oz. drink for $5.99 from 11:30-2. The only other pizza I swear by is actually a local (not chain) pizza restaurant in El Paso...Ardovino's. It's one of the 3 staple restaurants we take visitors to when they are driving through :)

Free Pizza! Wednesday is free pizza night at Draught House near 41st and Lamar. I'm counting on Allison to comment on this post and let us know how it is! And, Tuesday's is $2.75/pint night for beer lovers, so check it out!