Restaurant Reviews

Listings 11-20 of 999. The most recent review is listed for each restaurant.

11) 34TH STREET CAFE [City: Austin, Cuisine: Deli]
This review from March 2008. Plastic chairs and a mod space make diners feel comfortable, but the evening menu is ambitious (lunch is counter-order). A bright citrus dressing finished an arugula salad rounded out by creamy goat cheese and a heap of toasted pepitas, while a starter of braised boar ribs was so large it could have been an escapee from the entrée list. The only problem was that said ribs weren’t entirely tender, and they could have used crisping under the broiler. Main courses of seared duck breast and dense pumpkin ravioli were uneven too. A good pear tart helped balance things out. Beer & wine. 1005 W. 34th (512-371-3400). Open Mon–Fri 11–9:30, Sat 11–4:30 & 6–9:30. Closed Sun. $$-$$$ [web site] [map] +

12) 50 YARD LINE STEAKHOUSE [City: Lubbock, Cuisine: Steaks]
This review from September 2008. An interior makeover has much improved this place. Now cool sage walls set off the black and white photos of past football glories. Hushpuppy-like crab bites and crispy onion rings started us off. We skipped the unremarkable chicken and seafood entrées and ordered our usual—a tender, juicy steak (it shamelessly sported a little rim of fat). Don’t miss the yeasty cheese rolls and signature blueberry muffins. Bar. 2549 S. Loop 289 (806-745-3991). Dinner Mon–Wed 5–9, Thur–Sat 5–10:30. Closed Sun. $$–$$$ [web site] [map] +

13) 7TH STREET [City: Cushing, Cuisine: Home Cooking]
This review from September 2008. We stopped by for a quick cheeseburger and ended up spending a leisurely afternoon chatting with the locals. The thick, handmade, juicy meat patty with all the fixin’s did not disappoint, and neither did the conversation. Although 7th Street is clearly a gathering spot for the town, we visited with some folks from nearby cities as well; apparently the food is worth the drive. 754 7th (936-326-8457). Open Mon–Thur 10:30–9, Fri & Sat 10:30–10, Sun 10:30–3:30. $ [map]

14) ABACUS [City: Dallas, Cuisine: New American and Eclectic]
This review from June 2008. Tre Wilcox may be gone, but devoted fans still hold this elegant restaurant in high regard. An appetizer of yellowtail tartare with taro root chips, avocado, and orange-habanero sauce was splendid, but a dry-aged bone-in strip with whole-grain-mustard hollandaise was oddly gamy-tasting, a disappointment rectified by a fine dessert of apple fried pie and chai ice cream. Bar (opens at 5). 4511 McKinney Ave (214-559-3111). Dinner Mon–Thur 6–10, Fri & Sat 6–11. Closed Sun. $$$-$$$$ [web site] [map] [reserve a table] +

15) ABE’S CAJUN MARKET [City: Galveston, Cuisine: Cajun]
This review from December 2007. Cases of deli offerings, ready-to-cook sausages, and marinated steaks line the far side of the spacious, no-frills room, where we dipped into an oversized bowl of delectable chicken and sausage gumbo. Our friend dug into Abe’s Cajun Burger, a third pound of well-done but still juicy beef with all the trimmings. Beer & wine. 1080 Clear Lake City Blvd, Clear Lake (281-480-2237). Open Sun 11–9, Mon–Thur 8–9, Fri 8–10, Sat 9–10. $ [web site] [map] +

16) AKA JAPANESE CUISINE [City: Houston, Cuisine: Japanese]
This review from June 2007. Lucky west-siders have a jewel in Aka, with its simple but dramatic interiors. Artful appetizers—beef carpaccio and a little fried “sandwich” of tempura-battered shiso leaves encasing minced shrimp and mushrooms—utterly satisfied one of us, while pan-browned sea bass over bok choy pleased another. Bar. 1460 Eldridge Pkwy (281-558-8900). Open Mon–Thur 11–10, Fri 11–11, Sat noon–11, Sun noon–10. Reservations accepted. $$$ [web site] [map]

17) AL BIERNAT’S [City: Dallas, Cuisine: American]
This review from February 2008. From the parking valets and the busboys to Al himself, everybody makes you feel like you’re a member of an exclusive club. A sizable bowl of sweet corn chowder brimming with savory crabmeat, potatoes, and herbs preceded our entrées: lightly battered twin chicken breasts piccata (on a bed of linguine in a rich caper butter sauce) and a pair of thick center-cut pork chops. They don’t send you away hungry here. Bar. 4217 Oak Lawn (214-219-2201). Lunch Mon–Fri 11:30–2:30. Dinner Mon–Fri 5:30–10, Sat 5:30–11, Sun 5:30–9. $$$ [web site] [map] [reserve a table] +

18) AL’S PIZZERIA [City: Dallas, Cuisine: Pizza and Italian]
This review from February 2008. It’s a neat, orderly place with faux Tiffany lamps. The faithful arrive for their weekly fix of the best calzones in town, and the joint starts jumping. Last visit, we managed to down the chicken Parmesan dinner, which consisted of two large breaded breasts smothered with fresh tomato sauce and melted mozzarella, plus a side of spaghetti, and a small house salad. Nothing exotic, but we waddled out happy. Beer & wine. 3701 W. Northwest Hwy (214-350-2714). Open Mon–Thur 10–10, Fri & Sat 10–11, Sun 11–10. $ +

19) ALAMO SPRINGS CAFE [City: Fredericksburg, Cuisine: Burgers]
This review from November 2007. For a pure Hill Country experience, take the pretty drive to the Old Tunnel, which is home to up to 3 million bats, from roughly March through October. The migratory critters probably will have gone south for the winter by now, but you can still head to the Alamo Springs Café (a few hundred feet up and to the left) for a great burger on a jalapeño cheese bun. The folksy dinner special changes every night. Beer & wine. (To get to the Old Tunnel Wildlife Management Area, take U.S. 290 east for half a mile from the east side of Fredericksburg, turn south on Old San Antonio Rd, and go 10.5 miles; 866-978-2287.) 107 Alamo Rd (830-990-8004). Open Sun, Mon, Wed, Thur 11–9, Fri & Sat 11–10. Closed Tue. $$ [map] +

20) ALEGRIA BISTRO AND WINE BAR [City: Laredo, Cuisine: Eclectic]
This review from December 2007. Lushly dark and romantic, Alegria offers some of the city’s finest meals. Beer-battered fried asparagus is ready for its close-up, crisp pita-crusted shrimp are bright with citrus flavor, while grilled lamb is earthy and appealingly simple. Leave room for the chile-infused cheesecake. Impressive wine list. Bar. 107 Calle del Norte (956-712-0000). Open Mon—Fri 11:30—2:30 & 5:30—11, Sat 5:30—11. Closed Sun. $$—$$$ [map] +

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