Yesterday I met Steve at Ben’s Chili Bowl in D.C. This U Street institution celebrated their 50th Anniversary in August. I knew I couldn’t show my face back in Austin without visiting Ben’s on this trip. Now that I’m a “food blogger” there are certain expectations I must uphold.
Ben’s is located at 1213 U Street and I walked from 9th and E so that I could burn some calories before taking on an artery-clogging lunch. Steve and I had agreed ahead of time to share a half-smoke with chili and …

Austin’s late night dining scene has a classy new addition with parkside, a bar/restaurant with upstairs patio location on 6th and San Jacinto.

I’ve been there twice in the past two weeks — once when Monica and I had 20 minutes to grab dinner in between two Austin Film Festival screenings, and last night. Brandon and I went to an amazing Ray LaMontagne concert at the Paramount Theatre and were starving when it ended at 10:30 p.m. We felt like French food so we headed over to Chez Nous but it …

This weekend I finally got the chance to check out Blue Star Cafeteria – an upscale diner located at 4800 Burnet Road. I hadn’t heard great things from friends who had been there in the past but we decided to check it out anyway. I went earlier than my friends and hoped to enjoy a vodka soda at the bar. However, this spot is wine and beer only so I went with a crisp white wine instead. This gave me a chance to check out the atmosphere, menu, and clientele. …