last meal in texas is a lunch

[amysuehere]

weekday. where would you go?

[dcx1287]

Just an FYI for people reading this - never ever get the rack of lamb at claypit. It was absolutely horrendous.

"medium well" "medium" "medium rare"...these terms mean nothing to them. You tell them something, it does not matter. They will cook the lamb well well well done. The meat was tough and charred and terrible when I received it. It was almost inedible to be honest.

[crippstom]

Went to Clay Pit once. Had the lamb vindaloo ordered hot. No flavor and the consistency of old pot roast.

[rudeboy]

Too bad - That rack of lamb has been one of my favorite dishes in Austin. I've had it cooked med rare plenty of times, and only once was it overcooked. I also like the calimari appetizer and the vindaloo (if ordered extra indian spicy). Have things gone downhill? I haven't been there in a coupl of years, I guess.

[amysuehere]

I ordered the lamb tandori and it was rock hard and dry. Hubs ordered the vindaloo EXTRA spicy and it was mild at best, but at least his was edible. Took us almost an hour to get even bread (he served the bread with the meals). Buffet was minimal at best, but at least they ate in a timely manner.

[rudeboy]

Sounds like things have changed for the worse. I've often noticed in Indian and Chinese restaurants, no matter how much you stress extra spicy, they will not get the message through. Here's what I do generally: order the dish and don't say anything to the waiter. Wait a few minutes, then go poke your head in the kitchen and tell the chef or expediter personally.

[NirvRush]

the one time we tried to eat at Clay Pit was a few years ago. we were seated, brought pappadam w/ dipping sauce. and then we waited, and waited. and waited. no one took our drink order or acknowledged that they would be serving us, for like 15 mins. we finally just got up and left, and i told the hostess i didn't think anyone was assigned to that table as we were leaving. then the server chased us out the door claiming that he was "just about to come by" and offering to give us some comps. no thanks. so that kind of blew it for us.

[Bat Guano]

A couple of years ago - last time I was there - the server gave us the option of hot or 'Indian hot' - the way folks in India would have it. We ordered our dishes Indian hot, and it was, indeed, spicy. Sounds like things have changed, not for the better. I used to like their mussels, too.

[amysuehere]

he chose Clay Pit. What do people see in this place?! I was (again) wholly unimpressed.

[amysuehere]

Sorry. Austin. Friday at lunch. Good friend is moving to Omaha. This is his last lunch with the Friday lunch gang.

So far in the running are (tricky, the places he really wants to go aren't open for lunch...)

Clay Pit
East Side Cafe
Cafe Jose
Bistro 88
Mikado
Thai Passion
Vin
Belmont

In that order.

[Hsien_Ko]

He doesn't have some craving of his own?
For me, it would probably be Las Manitas or Ruby's BBQ. I would miss the vegetarian chorizo plate and the black bean tacos at those restaurants.

[rudeboy]

Should be nice on Friday - what about an upscale patio somewhere. Like Shoreline or similar?

[nypb]

Out of that list I would pick Mikado.

[crippstom]

Habenero

[tom in austin]

Texas, or Austin?

If we're talking Texas lunch, BBQ at several great spots, innumerable West Texas Tex-Mex joints. Is La Reve in San Antonio open for lunch?. I know a bunch of really good steakhouses in Dallas, Fort Worth, and Houston are.

[singlemalt]

What is the meaning of all this?