Roxanne "Roxy" W.'s Profile

There are so many wonderful things I could say about Milk + Honey.  Here's the thing, I am particular about my services. Call it an occupational hazard, because it is. But my nails have to be tip top for television.

When I started hosting, on a home shopping network, I was in search for the perfect place to make that happen and was determined to keep my natural nails.

After trying several places, I realized you get what you pay for.  I can't believe I even considered any other place. After a botched nail job from another place I called M+H on the fly and they were able to squeeze me in that same night (their hours by the way are bar none. 7 days a week, open until 9). I'd been to M+H for waxing and facials in the past, but not for a manicure.

I came in frantic and unsure that it would be worth it. It was WELL worth it. Jazmin was able to calm me because I could just tell she knew what she was doing. The product was light years better than anywhere else. Since then (and that was in October), I have never gone anywhere else but M+H.

Whether I go to my regular, Jazmin, or the other M+H nail technicians like Belinda or Mercedes, I have the comfort of knowing that they are skilled and take pride in their work.

Perfect example: I got a manicure from Mercedes and although I tried to wait patiently for them to dry, I had to leave sooner than I would have liked to meet someone a block away. Wouldn't you know I totally nicked one of my nails as I was waiting on the corner. Fail!

And then like an angel, Mercedes walked by on her way home. I didn't want to tell her what had just happened, but it was like she knew from my face. I told her not to worry about it but she insisted on fixing it right there on the corner of 3rd and Lavaca.

I have been to a lot of places of varying quality, price point, etc. and I assure you that no other place had nail technicians who would stop and fix a nail on the street.

I should add that the receptionists are golden! Golden!

Thanks for your consistency and quality M+H. And for making my nails TV-ready!

A wise man recently told me "Fish rots from the head." When it comes to Malaga, truer words have never been spoken.
I headed there with a group of ladies for a fun night out. 2 hours and 51 min later we left having experienced, RUDE service, cold food and with a $219.09 hole in our pockets. What about that was fun?
Even though we called ahead, we ended up waiting an hour to be seated. Annoying but forgivable.
When we finally were seated our server, Micah was rude from the word go. It was ten minutes before he even took our drink orders-translation 10 min before anyone came to our table. I personally ordered water and he copped attitude with me and told me he already had them coming. Okay. Irony being that they never brought enough waters for the entire page. We waited another 20 min. before our food orders were taken.  Food didn't come out for another 30 min. During that time, water was never refilled and our Micah rarely came to the table. When he did, we asked about our food. His response was a curt-"it's coming!" dripping in attitude.
I went the hostess and asked her if I could speak to the GM. She told me that Alejandro was the Chef and the GM, so it would be awhile before he could come but she would let him know we wanted to talk to him. Probably not good business to have the GM stuck in the kitchen.
An assistant manager eventually came by. I expressed our frustrations and he basically told me that all of our frustrations were deeper problems that he had brought up with his General Manager in the past, but hadn't been heeded. Complete overshare.
As the food came out it became apparent that things weren't going to be better. Several of our orders weren't properly placed, our tapas plates came before the salad--when we asked about it, the person dropping off the salads snapped, "this is a family style restaurant. The food comes out as it is ready." We were shocked at her snap and were befuddled. How does a side salad take longer than beef, shrimp, and calamari?
Meanwhile we dined on COLD food. When we asked Micah about it he said and I quote, "You will have to take it up with the chef, but he will argue it with you."
I don't even know what kind of debate you can have over food. It is either cold, luke warm, or hot. Right? Apparently not at Malaga. At Malaga, it is whatever the chef says it is.  We asked for knives for our tenderloin-Micah was put out, but fetched them, only to slap them down on the table and walk off without a word.
I again went to the hostess and requested that we speak to the General Manager. It had reached a brimming point, we were getting angry--held captive by the craziness. She headed back to fetch him.

I was naively optimistic about the impending conversation with the General Manager. When General Manager aka Chef aka food temperature police aka Alejandro came out, I said, "thank you for coming to talk to me." He said, "Make it quick, I am busy."  He argued with me about all of it. Finally he said that he would get us a new server. As he walked away, my friends tried to talk to him about the dressing-less salads that arrived post meal, he wouldn't hear it. I was able to get his attention long enough to say, "You know what would make this night absolutely terrible? If you added gratuity to our bill." He snapped back, "I'm taking care of it," and stormed off.
Our new waitress was nice, but it was too late. We just wanted our bill and a way out.  All of a sudden the assistant manager brought out some crab dip and another dish. Something we ordered more than an hour ago. In a round we said "We are done! We just want our check." Bless his heart I don't think he expected that response.  
Our bill included everything but the salads, crab dip and gratuity. $219.09. What a slap in the face. To add insult to injury, Alejandro and Micah stood by the bar hugging. Unbelievable. Needless to say we left exactly $219.09.
I wish that was the rest of the story, but it wasn't. As we were leaving I stopped at the hostess desk to thank her for being the only person to say 'sorry'.  I turned for the door only to hear "What is She complaining about now?" It was Micah.
Me: "excuse me?"
Micah: "I'm talking to my hostess, BYE BYE!" (With a wave and a look.)
Me: "are you yelling at me?"
Micah: "THIS IS THE WAY I TALK IN A LOUD RESTAURANT."
Me: "I was merely thanking them for their service."
Micah: "MmmmHmmm BYE, BYE!" (with an OK sign and a point for me to sweep out the door."
Me: (I turn to the hostesses and say) "Thanks Again." (and then to all) "Have a nice life."

Bottom line, NO ONE should be treated that way. I don't want you to have the same experience we did. It isn't unheard of to have good service in Austin. I know because I go out regularly and have good service repeatedly. Bad service from the top down effects your meal. Unless Malaga has a complete overhaul, which I hope they do, head ANYWHERE but Malaga.

Waterloo is basically Austin's version of Chili's. If you can get past  that and the fact that you are eating in an area that pushed out the historical venue The Backyard, then it is all good!

If you like the other locations, you will definitely like this one. I mean it is new, and spacious, yet still has the Waterloo Icehouse feel. What isn't to like about it?

My dish of choice was the Crispy Chicken Salad: chicken strips, jack cheese, tomatoes, cucumbers, honey mustard, and my standard add-on of avocado.  The salad is respectable. I love that fact that you get a lot of bang for your buck.

My biggest complaint is the parking. For some reason they ended up in a location in that huge shopping area that has like only 20 parking spots that it shares with at least five businesses (some yet to move in). Thankfully, there is a lot of parking across the way. So don't be shocked if you have to walk a bit to get there. But hey, we are a green city so I guess it goes with the territory.

Oh Pappasitos. You are such a conundrum. I want to shun you because you aren't local, but you are sooo good.

I don't typically go to Pappasitos-I am a local girl. In fact the last time I was there, my date that I would rather forget chose the restaurant! But what I almost forgot was how delish everything Pappa makes is.

Here is good Mexican food checklist:
A good Mexican restaurant must have 4 out of the 6 requirements on my list.

Here is how Pappasitos fares:
Salsa       Check
Chips       Check
Guac       Check
Queso    Check
Fajitas  Check
Margaritas  N/A on this trip

If a Mexican restaurant is good at most of these, the rest of their food is probably going to be good. And if it isn't, that is okay, because you can enjoy the goodness on the list.

Pappasitos does it well.  

If it is any consolation, it started in Houston. Which makes it a TX chain...And as good as they are, they are smart enough not to infiltrate Austin. They have one location that has been here for over ten years. But so far they are leaving the multiple locations to the local establishments. Snaps for that.

Call me crazy, but I am yet to understand the allure of Galaxy Café.  Sure the look is catchy, the employees are quite nice. But the food is nothing I crave. When you think about what you are getting and how much you are paying, Is the experience out of this world? I think not.

Most recently, I had a Galaxy PLT. A play on BLT. Prosciutto and fresh mozzarella cheese with mixed greens and pesto mayonnaise on a grilled French baguette.

Sounds like it would be delicious. But it was just okay. It missed that must-have more flavor. It was a bit bland. Odd given the ingredients I know, but true. I don't know, I am at a loss.

Here is the deal Galaxy Café is loved by many and you can definitely go there and feel like you are being healthy.  But, I think food should be an experience. It should be about the people you are with and the flavors you are enjoying. If either is missing, then the dining experience isn't all that it could be.

About the location: Think stark white sterile modern. It is loud--'no carpet with concrete floors' type loud.

Also of note, you order at the counter, find a seat and they bring your food to you. This is probably more for ambiance than anything else. It doesn't make your meal any less. Expect your meal to be $8 or more. Beware if you go during prime times, i.e. Sunday around noon there is a line. (Like I said, people dig this place.)

I am of course open to suggestions. If there is a particular dish I should be eating at Galaxy to make my trip worthwhile, PLEASE let me know. I would love to have the chance to say that Galaxy Café is 'out of this world'. Until then...

Consider this your Rick Steve's walking tour of Yogurt Planet! Trust me, you will need it!

I stumbled upon this new Planet one day at The Triangle. After tasting what the Planet had to offer, I am convinced that Yogurt Planet is the best planet in space, and even better than Milky Way.  (heh heh heh).

Like any foreign place, when you walk in it all seems, well, confusing. The place is bare almost sterile, but for some tables, pictures of fruit on the walls. I recommend just observing the system when you first get there.  

No need to ask an employee: Frankly the two times I have been there, the employee behind the counter was a teenage-like girl (different girl the second time, but I suspect a pattern) that wasn't very talkative. She had four cycles: read register, take money, give change, and repeat. But I guess if you go with the theme of a planet being foreign, and odd, it works...

Once you get the groove, you will realize that Yogurt Planet is a do-it-yourself place. There may be directions somewhere on some wall, but it doesn't stop you from that first, "huh?" moment. Here is how you maneuver:

(1) Walk to the back right and pick up a white bowl. [There are two different sizes, but no directions on why you would pick one size over the other. Maybe it is based on your hunger?]

(2) Walk to the back wall (to your left) and chose between 10 or so flavors of yogurt [there are two flavors per soft serve machine, so you can swirl them as well. There is no limit to how many flavors you put in your white bowl.  My choice? The cheesecake flavored one! Love it!]

(3) Walk to your left and choose from the smorgasbord of mix-ins.  Fresh fruit, candy, and more. [Here is where I got majorly excited! They have lychee fruit! LYCHEE. In Austin you can only get lychee in a martini at a handful of places.  Lychee is an Asian fruit. So good!]

(4) Walk to the register at the end of the mix-in' bar and place your creation on the scale. The cashier will tell you your total, based on who knows what. Pay and then enjoy.

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Very rarely will you have cravings for ice cream places at random times of the day. I CRAVE Yogurt Planet for my Cheesecake/Lychee goodness.

Drawbacks:
If you are looking for ambiance from your dessert shops a la Amy's, Fuggettaboutit! Not possible here.

If you have an aversion to kids, don't go in the Summer time. Oh MYLANTA I am pretty sure they breed them in the back. Kids of all ages: tots, tweens, you name it.  I suspect that with school now in session, there is less of that.

If you like to feel immediately comfortable in an establishment, you won't find that here. Well hopefully this review will make you feel a little more knowledgeable.

Ah Black Sheep Lodge. Why are you called Black Sheep? Is it because you are on the forgotten corridor of S. Lamar? Could be. I have been to Black Sheep four times now (once when they had handwritten menus!) and I must say there are a lot of good things and a few that leave much to be desired.

If beer is your thing, you will find a plethora of beers at Black Sheep - Beers from all around the world in fact. I think the most expensive one I saw on the menu was $18 (don't quote me on that it might have been more). I am pretty sure an $18 beer better does backflips. And if it doesn't, it probably learn fast. But alas beer is not my thing, so let talk about what I know:

Queso - Don't even go there. Not even on an impulse. It is a big disappointment. If you are yearning for queso go up a couple of blocks to Maudies or down a couple blocks to Matt's El Rancho and eat it as you walk back.

Burgers - A-MAZING. They proclaim to have the best burgers in South Austin. Naturally I had to check this out. Seriously, whatever they do to their meat may just make it the best burger in South Austin.  How good? Well I was in a hurry to get back to work and decided to stop by P.Terry's. Cars were backed up and I sat in the line for a split second and then remembered that Black Sheep had better burgers. I zoomed down S.Lamar, probably had to wait longer, and got the Little Stinkers to go.  It smelled so good that I had to eat it there. (FYI: If you get take out, they do charge an "environmental fee.").

The little stinkers are -brace yourself- 3 hearty sliders with roasted garlic in the patty, topped with gorgonzola, roasted onions, and mixed greens. I don't know what a burger like that is doing in a beer place that serves bad queso, but it IS there and you must try it.

The bun is tasty, the burger is to die for, and 3 is just the right amount.
As I write I want to get in the car and get some now.
For those who are nervous about the name (Stinker), or the garlic, it isn't overpowering, just flavor-ishess.

Atmosphere is just what it sounds like. A lounge. Think Doc's, but a little darker. There are lots of TV that are always dialed into a game. For those who like to play games, there is shuffle board, and darts. Indoor and outdoor seating, and if you go during happy hour, LOTS of life.

Bottom line, get a burger (I have also tried the Black Sheep burger, also great!) and whatever you want to drink to wash it down.

Garrido's is the newest Mexican kid on the downtown blocks (Maria Maria's, La Condesa have both opened in the last year as well. El Chile is also new, but there are other locations in ATX.)

I can only speak about their happy hour because that is all I had!

I was meeting a friend for a "working happy hour," but I was early! Like two hours early. I waltzed into Garrido's with a full stomach, moments before their happy hour began. My plan, relax and get some work done and have a drink. I was upfront. Kudos to them, they totally accommodated me. They gave me the booth (the only outlet in the whole place is next to the 8 person booth) brought me a margarita, water with a straw, and chips and salsa.

Let's face it, even though the place was empty except for me, some places would have been annoyed with the likes of me. But they were not.

I had a frozen margarita, and it was awesome. It was refreshing and didn't taste like it came out of a cheap machine. I highly recommend the "margies." There is nothing worse than a Mexican restaurant whose margaritas taste like an after thought. That was sooo not the case at Garrido's

In fact, Garrido's has the potential to have the best Margaritas in Austin. (Of course I would have to do a tasting of all of the to confirm this...)

Reasonably priced happy hour, good drinks, great wait staff. Plus, Plus, Plus.

Neutral: The salsa...it had that interior Mexican tomatoey taste. I personally prefer Tex-Mex spicy salsa, so I wasn't crazy about the salsa. But it truly is a personal preference.

Negative: The temperature! It was pretty warm. It may be par for the course that newer restaurants in town with lots of windows are going to be hot, but I tell you what, it can be uncomfortable.

Good place for happy hour. Excellent for Margaritas. But, I will have to get back to you on the food.

Thai Fresh - The name says it all. But my experience goes a little deeper.
I had my first encounter this week with Thai Fresh for lunch. Greenling was having a "Lunch Bomb" at Thai Fresh. What is a "Lunch Bomb" you ask? Basically each month Greenling coordinates a group to eat at a local restaurant that gets its ingredients from local farmers. It is a creative way to support the restaurant and the farmers.

Tucked between S.Lamar and S. 1st Street, you don't just run into Thai Fresh, you have to be looking for it. Thai Fresh looks like what you think a restaurant should be like in quintessential South Austin. The walls double as storage where the vegetables sit waiting to be chopped. The kitchen area is behind the counter and open.

When you walk in you see all of their food in a glass case. My guess is they prepare it in the morning and keep it cool until it is ordered. You can order one, two, or three item plates at the register.  They heat your food up and you are good to go. I had the Pad Sea Ew - Chicken, Vermicelli Noodles and fresh vegetables with Thai Tea.

The Pad Sea Ew was a hearty portion. I thought I would be taking some of it home for another meal. Wrong! I ate all of it. It hit the spot--I wasn't hungry again for at least five hours. I guess when the food is fresh, it just tastes better. There was a leafy green in my dish that wasn't my fav, but I ate around it easily.

The Thai Tea was salmon in color. Different. Even better it is made with condensed milk. If you haven't had a drink with condensed milk you seriously are missing out. The tea was Tasty with a capital T.

If you are looking for good, healthy Thai food, Thai Fresh is a good choice. Here is the drawback. It is PRICEY! I spent $11.36 on one item and tea. I guess it comes down to how much you are willing to pay for fresh, healthy, locally grown, locally owned food. I will leave that decision up to you...

I have never been a vintage shopper. I am not opposed, I just never explored it.  But thanks to Lucy Liu's character in DSM, and a see-through dress in my possession, I decided to bring back the often disregarded slip and half-slip.

I asked around and was told that New Bohemia was the place to go for a great variety of slips. I like supporting local businesses, so I was ready to try New Bohemia.

I called on my way over there and talked to a helpful gentleman--I wanted to confirm that they did indeed have slips. They did. Now this encounter may seem minor, but really when looking for something that is potentially a needle in a haystack, you really don't want to go to barn if nothing is there...

So I headed over there on a Sunday afternoon. I was impressed by the variety, however, I didn't really know where to begin. Fortunately an employee found me quickly. Will, was his name. Will was an absolute gem. He led me to the section with the most slips and meanwhile searched the rest of the store for slips and put them aside for me.

With a store that is a hodge podge like this one was, that was greatly appreciated. As I searched, the store filled up, but Will managed to juggle it all seamlessly with the soundtrack from  "Shock Treatment" (The sequel to Rocky Horror Picture Show...I didn't know, I had to ask.) playing in the background.

I tried on 20 different slips and walked out with my favorite one. Before I left I did a little perusing. Seriously there were so many awesome finds. I am not a hippie, so what was catching my eye was more Jackie O. and Aubrey Hepburn vintage dresses! Love it! I would have been in serious trouble had it not been for two things:

(1) It was SO hot in there. Although there were what I think must have have been a/c box units blowing, the combination of Austin's heat and an old shop on Soco equals an uncomfortable shopping situation. It was all I could do not to sweat when trying on the slips (and I didn't sweat FYI. Lots of breaks between trying on slips.) but I hit my max on the temperature.

(2) The cute stuff wasn't quite my size. Rats! The good thing is that the special vintage dresses I oogled had full measurements on the tag: Bust, Waist, and Hips! So if you know your measurmens going into it, you can save a lot of time in your search.

I will definitely go back to New Bohemia. Between the selection and the service, this Newbie feels comfortable enough to return...on a cooler day of course.

With new things being added every day, the place is fun, fun, fun!