NYC in the ATX House

Recently we got together with some dear friends who came to visit from New York City. New York City? Get a rope. You're probably wondering what the hell we are talking about? We wonder that too, most of the time; it's usually a mystery to us as well, but this we can explain. It's a line from an old Pace Picante Salsa commercial that aired in Texas (you can you tube it) about some cowboys who will only eat salsa made in San Antonio, TX and won't eat salsa made in NYC. So every time we hear someone say New York City... that commercial just automatically pops into our heads. The fact that we still remember this from so long ago (circa 1994) is funny to us because we can't remember really important things most of the time, but we remember this? Hmmm, guess it shows the power of great marketing - either that or we are just sick in the head - Ha Ha - which is probably more accurate. Speaking of San Antonio, our friends actually stayed with friends there but drove to Austin for the day to meet up with us.

It's hot and humid as HELL ... not even sure why we took showers because we're dripping in sweat anyway and FORGET about our hair. As soon as we walked out of the door it either fell flat, frizzed out, or both so we said screw it and decided to leave our appearance up to the weather god.  But somehow we must have pissed him off because Sam was NOT our Champion today. We met our friends for brunch at a cute little place that serves Mexican food called Takoba (on E.7th and Onion). Richelle had the Chilaquiles (eggs scrambled, pan fried corn tortilla strips, onions & a red chile sauce, topped with queso fresco and served with breakfast potatoes and re-fried beans) while Jenn had the Queso Fundido (Oaxaca & Monterrey jack cheeses, roasted poblanos & chorizo with warm flour tortillas). Although Richelle liked her meal, we both agreed that the Queso Fundido was awesome! The margaritas were good, but the real go to drink for our table was the Michelada (a spicy beer cocktail featuring Dos XX beer, spicy tomato juice and black pepper). The first thing out of our friends' mouth was, "Thank you for saving Richelle's life, Jenn. How scary was that? and tell us all about it" (See Black Box Maven Almost Down for all the details). It's nice to know that our friends read our blog - along with two or three other people out there in the world;) So they bought us a drink to celebrate, as we both chimed in with our recollection of what happened, and then we all toasted Richelle's life. Then we started talking about our lobster roll quest in Austin (see our blog Perla's, Pets and Painting) and failure to find one as good as Mary's Fish Camp in NYC. They have been there with us many times and told us that Mary's recently opened one in Brooklyn. Richelle and Jenn start planning a trip to NYC & Brooklyn as it's been too long since they have been to the big apple. Jenn has decided she will approach MFC about opening one in Austin and by approach she means beg and plead. After brunch we head to SOCO (South of Congress) for Amy's Ice Cream (the line was around the building because it was so damn hot) and some window shopping, while a few of us made our way to Doc's Bar & Grill for a bathroom break, to cool off and have a cold beer.

As we walk out of Doc's, it starts pouring down rain while we pack in one car and head to no other than, Rainey Street - a cool street lined with old houses converted into bars. Most people just walk up and down the street, but we managed to almost get run over by a segway tour zooming by.

Our stops along Rainey Street were Bar 96 and Lustre Pearl. Lustre Pearl has a huge backyard area where they have picnic tables, live music, ping pong and hula hoops. That's right hula hoops and you know we had to hoop it at least once.

The table we sat at was less than desirable, though... look at it! It was caddywhompus as all hell, Ha Ha - but we still sat there (or tried). At least our drinks were level - that's what mattered most.

After the fun at Lustre Pearl, our last stop was the "Come Together Food Trailer Park," located at 74 Rainey Street. It's a cute outdoor space, lined with food trucks, that's family friendly (kids and dogs are welcome) and offers picnic table seating. You can go from trailer to trailer ordering different & exciting foods all without having to leave the area. Their hours of operation vary, but are somewhat consistent, and right now they are: Tuesday-Thursday 6pm-12midnight, Friday-Saturday 6pm-3am and Sunday 6pm-12midnight. They are closed on Mondays.

We have been on a mission to try the tacos at La Fantabulous (follow them on Face Book @ LaFantabulous and Twitter @ LFantabulous) and are happy to report that we finally get to accomplish it. La Fantabulous is a cute cabo style taqueria and the brain child of Josie Paredes. Josie is a chef in her own right and has worn many hats over the years. To name a few: she was the chef at J. Blacks on sixth street, part of the menu planning for Santa Rita Tex Mex and Blue Star Cafeteria, pastry chef for McCormick & Schmick's (on the East Coast) and lead cook for Eddie V's Prime Seafood. She is more than accomplished and if she doesn't deserve her own food truck, then no one does.

She whips up the most delicious tacos, on either flour or corn tortillas, all made from the freshest ingredients which can change often according to what's available from farm to market. We didn't hold back and tried a little bit of everything: Bean & Cheese topped w/queso fresco & avocado, Fish (salmon or red snapper) topped with your choice of Avo green salsa or sweet peppers & mango, Shrimp pan seared and topped w/cabbage, red onions, orange segments, sweet peppers & queso fresco, Bistek (beef fajita) with grilled onions and poblano peppers topped w/cilantro & queso fresco, and Pollo Anchiote (chicken fajita) in a light citrus marinade with grilled onions, pineapple, cilantro & queso fresco. We thoroughly enjoyed them all and left nary a crumb ... in other words we ate every single bite because they were so fresh and delicious!! They were some of the best we have ever tried. Definitely not your average taco. We will absolutely be back.

Thanks Josie and La Fantabulous for filling our bellies with delicious tacos. Now we can go home fat and happy and enjoy a glass of wine or two. It was a fun-filled day spent just the way we like it - with great friends, delicious food, cold drinks and lots of laughter. Until our next outing, The BBWM's are signing off ... May your life and your glass always be full - and if your tummy is too, it's a bonus.