Moving to Austin? Here were my struggles- (Roma, Burnet: live, restaurants)
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Wow...if you hear complaints ALL the time...maybe, just maybe there's something there?
Then they should just go back home if it is so bad here. Why stay somewhere that makes you miserable, or where you can't get a certain kind of chip or coffee?? Life's too short to miss out on that one kind of chip!
I'll point out that Olive Garden and Panera bread made their way onto last year's Chronicle "best of list"...btw
Time to run the BS flag up the pole once again:
Quote:
Austin Chronicle 2012 Readers Poll
Best Italian
Vespaio
Runners-up
Mandola's Italian Market, Asti
Honorable Mention
Enoteca Vespaio, Maggiano's Little Italy, La Traviata Italian Bistro
Yes, Panera is on the list. Honorable mention for their bread, not for their food. OG? No where to be found. If you are going to come here and talk smack, at least be accurate.
There is zero sense in going into the abundant praise for Austin's food scene, from people like Food & Wine's editor Gail Simmons, the previously mentioned Anthony Bourdain, David Lebovitz, Andrew Zimmern, and others. There isn't any sense in mentioning the award winning chefs like Laura Sawicki, (F&W's best new pastry chef), Bryce Gilmore (one of F&W's best new chefs) or James Beard award winners Tyson Cole and Paul Qui, also winner of this year's Top Chef. No need to mention the five culinary schools, dozen farmer's markets, or two of the nation's best examples of high end markets, one of which has their world HQ here. As is your right, on this subject, your mind is obviously closed.
Which, I would point out, works about as well as a closed parachute.
Yes, Panera is on the list. Honorable mention for their bread, not for their food. OG? No where to be found. If you are going to come here and talk smack, at least be accurate. Olive garden appeared for something or other....as I posted....on a 2011 list.
There is zero sense in going into the abundant praise for Austin's food scene, from people like Food & Wine's editor Gail Simmons, the previously mentioned Anthony Bourdain, David Lebovitz, Andrew Zimmern, and others. There isn't any sense in mentioning the award winning chefs like Laura Sawicki, (F&W's best new pastry chef), Bryce Gilmore (one of F&W's best new chefs) or James Beard award winners Tyson Cole and Paul Qui, also winner of this year's Top Chef. No need to mention the five culinary schools, dozen farmer's markets, or two of the nation's best examples of high end markets, one of which has their world HQ here. As is your right, on this subject, your mind is obviously closed.
Which, I would point out, works about as well as a closed parachute.
And here again, we have another example of the prevailing attitude or "Austintude"...one that is closed to ANY criticism of Austin.
Again, if you read my post...yes, we all know too well Austin's place on various top ten lists and has received buzz recently on its food scene (esp from F&W...and suspiciously right before the FW roadshow...one wonders if any pay-for-praise was going on...and how much were tickets for Bourdain at the Paramount? Does the term "carpetbagger" resonate? I digress.). Anyway as I said one can find examples of up and coming establishments that just happen to be in Austin.
As for the culinary schools...those for-profits are a dime a dozen. Just meeting the demand for the current "I can be the next Top Chef" craze. Farmers market...same thing...nothing unique to Austin there. High-end markets...I suppose Whole Foods fits the bill.
But my point is...just because Austin has those things, Austin still has a long way to go to be considered an actual "foodie destination". To lay claim to being a foodie destination because of a couple of mentions in the press is a bit premature. And if you believe you don't have to be compared to other cities...well, in order to be considered a destination worth visiting for its food scene...that's determined by the visitors to Austin.
Last edited by kbchitown; 07-09-2012 at 01:17 PM..
kbchitown - what is your standard for great food? What gets you salivating? It might be useful for us to hear what you like because you don't seem to like any food served in Austin.
And here again, we have another example of the prevailing attitude or "Austintude"...one that is closed to ANY criticism of Austin.
Olive Garden has NEVER appeared, in any year, in the Chronicle Reader's Poll. It isn't "Austintude" to point out made-up BS when people create it. False is false.
As far as a "destination", I guess you aren't aware of how many people come to Austin as a base for barbeque touring. Probably more than go to your beloved Chicago for deep dish pizza. Other than that, there isn't anything in Chicago any better than anything here - and I go there six to ten times a year. Steaks? Nope. Mexican? The guy is an Okie, for heaven's sake. Greek? Maybe, but who cares. Hot Dogs? Might have us on that one.
When comparing cities on a given metric, especially when it comes to amenities or categories like food, it goes without saying that the comparison is primarily between cities of similar size....obviously when we say Austin is 'good' at something, I'm not necessarily comparing it to New York or Chicago. That's dumb, because obviously the large cities will win every time when it comes to most measurables (in this case, level of 'foodiness'). Of course Austin is not as much of a foodie city as say Chicago, a metro 5 times its size...that's a silly comparison though IMO (Although it is fun to watch Chicago try to play catch-up to Austin in the food truck scene!) Compared to cities in a more narrow population range though, Austin stacks up very impressively. Still, I would not call it a full-blown foodie 'destination' either, except for barbeque. Maybe Mexican, too.
If you've permanently moved your family to a new city, why not embrace the new city and all that it offers instead of moaning about what you don't have or how things aren't as good as wherever you came from? I hear those same moans all the time from friends, and it really gets irritating. If things were so much better back home, then go back home. Otherwise, embrace Austin/Central Texas/Texas/the Southwest and acclimate. It really isn't as bad as you might think once you open your eyes and see all the possibilities out there!
I agree with this as a rule, and it does occur a lot! However, we do have a right to voice our displeasure if something is concerning us- and to ask questions and make mention of differences. Ya know.
It does not have to be a black and white response.
And he really was spot on with the homeless problem. I have lived here over 20 years, and I am sick to death of there being someone on every freaking corner I stop at. I don't make that complaint weekly or monthly, and it does not reflect on my overall love of the city.
But my point is...just because Austin has those things, Austin still has a long way to go to be considered an actual "foodie destination". To lay claim to being a foodie destination because of a couple of mentions in the press is a bit premature. And if you believe you don't have to be compared to other cities...well, in order to be considered a destination worth visiting for its food scene...that's determined by the visitors to Austin.
Yeah, and by my definition a "foodie destination" is a place people visit because of the food. Austin is already there. Witnessed it myself, numerous times. People coming in for the weekend, and hitting as many of the places they've read about as they can. I've talked to them. I've even met a few of them after online chats to break bread with them. I mean, some people chase golf tournaments... some chase top chefs.
And that doesn't even count the food writers and tv celebs who help spread the word. Austin makes for good copy, so the rep is increasing. Funniest of all, for me, was Calvin Trillin flying out to do a piece for the New Yorker on Snow's BBQ, but getting there after the meat ran out. Ha! Bourdain has been back several times.
And here again, we have another example of the prevailing attitude or "Austintude"...one that is closed to ANY criticism of Austin.
Again, if you read my post...yes, we all know too well Austin's place on various top ten lists and has received buzz recently on its food scene (esp from F&W...and suspiciously right before the FW roadshow...one wonders if any pay-for-praise was going on...and how much were tickets for Bourdain at the Paramount? Does the term "carpetbagger" resonate? I digress.). Anyway as I said one can find examples of up and coming establishments that just happen to be in Austin.
As for the culinary schools...those for-profits are a dime a dozen. Just meeting the demand for the current "I can be the next Top Chef" craze. Farmers market...same thing...nothing unique to Austin there. High-end markets...I suppose Whole Foods fits the bill.
But my point is...just because Austin has those things, Austin still has a long way to go to be considered an actual "foodie destination". To lay claim to being a foodie destination because of a couple of mentions in the press is a bit premature. And if you believe you don't have to be compared to other cities...well, in order to be considered a destination worth visiting for its food scene...that's determined by the visitors to Austin.
Agreed. Folks get so defensive if you offer up any critique of this town. Funny, really. We do have a long way to go there, and it is ok to say so!
And he really was spot on with the homeless problem. I have lived here over 20 years, and I am sick to death of there being someone on every freaking corner I stop at. I don't make that complaint weekly or monthly, and it does not reflect on my overall love of the city.
Yes, but that is not just Austin. That is everywhere now.
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