1219 South Lamar Blvd
Austin, TX 78704

One of my close friends, Cindy came up for a visit (first visit to Austin in a very very long time) this weekend. I met her up at Madam Mams for lunch on Saturday and then for a delightful second trip to Gourdoughs on Sunday. She was enamoured with the pictures posted from my first visit and insisted we go. How can I deny my friend?

I got to add 2 more donuts to my list of donuts (now at 9!) tried at Gourdoughs. I’m moving on up their menu.

Cindy, her boyfriend, and her boyfriend’s brother.

Bromance! That’s Cindy’s best friend, Vince and his old roommate, Daniel. I’ve recruited them to be my food buddies.

Mm. Black Out Donut – Brownie batter, chocolate icing, and chocolate covered brownie bites. It was so fricking rich. Pictured next to Son of a Peach.

Bring the Heath: cream cheese icing and Heath chips

I look extra chinky squinting at the sun….

Warning: A lot of food porn ahead.

1219 South Lamar Blvd Austin, TX 78704 www.gourdoughs.com I had a dinner date at 7pm with a friend yesterday. It’s 2 pm and I’m about to head out so I decided to eat lunch and try to last til 7 to be able to eat dinner. I usually get hungry about 3-4 hours after eating unless I STUFF myself silly. So I did just that and stuffed myself SILLY at around 2pm. 3pm I get a text message from Liz whom I haven’t caught up with in over a YEAR. “Hi, I’m in Austin. Want to grab a midday snack at Gourdough’s?” Dammit. I made the decision quickly but my stomach was already starting to hurt knowing what I’m about to do to it. I haven’t chatted with my Liz in over a year AND I’ve never been to Gourdoughs. Easy decision at the expense of my stomach. My poor poor stomach. I met Liz up with her boyfriend and buddies, a party of 7. I find out later that the more people you bring, the better to Gourdough’s. I’ve met some of her friends a few times through the years but the occasions were pretty unremarkable. After eating here with them, they will always be remembered as the fun-loving, food-loving hilarious group that introduced me to Gourdoughs. (4 were regulars, Me, Liz and her boyfriend were neophytes.) So what is Gourdough’s? Gourdough’s Big Fat Donuts is a trailer eatery pretty close to my first trailer-food-love, Flip Happy Crepes. What is it about food trailers in Austin? I haven’t been back to Flip Happy in a while because ever since Bobby Flay did a feature on it, it hasn’t been the same. Gourdough’s (in case you don’t know, “gordo” translates to fat in Spanish. Already, this place has charmed me; I have a strong affinity for puns.) is a gourmet donut eatery. Yes, you’ve read right, gourmet. donut. eatery. Her friend Jon, was giving me the low down on the menu. He said there’s a secret menu that is no longer secret as it’s made it on the paper menu (not pictured). Jon also instructed that once you gain more “experience” you can even order your donut with a side of ice cream (vanilla or chocolate) AND all donuts for an extra dollar you can have meat on it. Otherwise, donuts are just $3.25. He was just there yesterday and said the Porky’s really good. Porky’s is a donut with Canadian bacon, jalapeno jelly, and cream cheese. Did you read that? Go back if you need to. He mentioned a few donuts he’s had. The PB&J one which is donut with grape filling, peanut butter icing with peanut butter morsels sprinkled. The Slowburn with Habanero Pepper jelly with cream cheese. The Flying Pig with bacon and maple syrup. I cannot wait to try these creative combination of ingredients. For now I will share with you what we’ve shared. We ordered 7 different donuts but I think I left out 2 in my distraction of sheer joy and delight. Miss Shortcake Jon’s order. I love the sounds and words that kind of fall out of foodies’ mouths when they eat something SO good. It’s as if they forget they’re not alone and this is truly their most authentic and personal reaction. I believe his reaction was “………God….. this is SO. Freeeesssssshh.” He wasn’t talking to any of us in particular and we all laughed, tickled that we just got a glimpse of a private moment he had to himself. He’s right though. It was pretty damn fresh. Unknown Donut with Honey Dipping Sauce Savag (I hope I spelled his name correctly) ordered a donut that came with a honey dipping sauce. I couldn’t find it on the menu. He’s one of the more experienced Gourdoughers, so perhaps he ordered from the formerly secret menu that hasn’t been posted on the website yet. Mystery donut makes it’s rounds around the table. There he is with my friend, Liz. Here’s a sexy close up of mystery donut with honey dipping sauce. Mother Clucker Liz ordered the Mother Clucker. A donut with honey butter icing topped with FRIED CHICKEN! This was one of my favorites because I love combining savory with sweet. Moreover, the other 6 of us got sweet donuts so this one was a nice little break in comparison. The crispy chicken on the warm doughy donut was truly comforting. This is definitely going to be one of my regulars when I frequent (note I said “when” and not “if”) Gourdough’s. Son of a Peach This is Andy’s order which is from the formerly secret menu! Son of a Peach. So fricking GOOD. My friend Dave is in love with peaches. I’ve already mentally bookmarked this donut to share with him in the future. Funky Monkey My order! Donut that comes with grilled bananas, cream cheese icing, and brown sugar baste. It tasted like a banana’s foster on crack. I’m smacking my lips right now as I type this which is a feat as I’m still in physical pain from all the eating I’ve done. I was 110 percent pleased with my order. Granny’s Pie Granny’s Pie is crowned with caramel, pecans, bananas, and graham crackers. This was pretty good of course. Really rich. It didn’t completely suit my palate but I’m guessing all fans of pecan pies (all the boys that I know) would love this donut.

Closing Thoughts

As often as I rave about food, it is a little rare when I’m completely head over heels with a place. I’m head over heels with this place. What saddens me is we spoke to the nice owner and we learned the Foodnetwork is coming to do a feature and film on the 25th of the month. When Bobby Flay did that to Flip Happy Crepes, the trailer eatery is now OVERRUN with people and can take over an hour to get yourself a delicious crepe. I’m pretty sure the exposure to this modest trailer will do the same. Luckily, Gourdough’s hours are much more accessible (everyday 10am- 2am). In the meantime, I can not wait to come back to Gourdough’s Big Fat Donuts!

In comparison to 2008, 2009 was awful! The one thing I can think of that 2009 had over 2008 was that I read more than double the books I read in 2008. I’m anticipating the fresh feel of a new year that is 2010. In the meantime, here’s a review of how my year has gone with heavier emphasis on my blessings verses my misfortunes.

Note: All links open in a new window.

January 2009

• Celebrated New Years with Alan and his friends.
• I worked a lot. Logged a lot of hours.
• Saw one of my favorite movies of the year, Slumdog Millionaire.
• Kim sent me Tiff’s Treats at work to cheer me up about something.

Celebrating New Year’s with the boyfriend

February 2009

• Alan took me to my third Killer’s concert as a Christmas gift.
• Tried out Joe Dimaggio’s for the first of three times this year. Went as a Valentine’s date with Alan.
• Got flowers from Alan at work.
• Alan, his roommate, and I all played Bingo for the first time.
• I worked a lot. Logged a lot of hours.

Alan and I at the Killer’s Concert

March 2009

• I worked a lot. Logged a lot of hours.
• Went to my first rodeo with some work friends and Brandi.
• Ate at Mighty Fine for the first time, now my favorite burger joint of the year.
• Celebrated Brandi’s birthday at Pete’s Dueling Pianos.

Rodeo, Austin, TX

April 2009

• Went to Houston for my daddy’s birthday.
• I worked a lot. Logged a lot of hours.
• Was supposed to be Jamie’s date for a wedding. We got lost in West Austin and ended up exploring Salado, Texas instead.
• Celebrated Selina’s birthday at her house on same day Jamie and I almost went to that wedding.

Selina’s Birthday

May

• Worked a lot; logged a lot of hours.
• Visited San Francisco for the first time and went with Alan. It was our first vacation together and we ate very very well.
• Put in notice at my Clincial Research Job and thus ending that career path (for now at least?)
• I finished out May working at that job and I stopped logging too many hours.
• Celebrated Sae’s graduation from Law School.
• Kim visited from Houston for Memorial Day Weekend.
• Katambra introduced me to a snowcone stand that I frequented often in the summer.
• Saw Star Trek in IMAX, was surprised to love it.

Celebrating Sae’s law school graduation

June 2009

• Ate at a lot of happy hours with old coworkers, with Alan, Sae, and his girlfriend with new free time.
• I took a certification class to become a teacher
• I went to Houston for Father’s Day
• Kim and I tried out Feast, voted best new restaurant in Houston by a handful of magazines.
• I saw Thomas in Houston and we ate at Fufu’s.
• Went on a lot of double dates with Sae and Young. (Here’s our first time at North)

Cindy and me at Grand Lux Cafe in Houston

July

• Celebrated Fourth of July with Brandi and her boyfriend at Zilker Park..
• Went on a lot of double dates with Sae and Young.
• Went to Houston for my mom’s birthday.
• Saw Cindy in Houston and we ate at Classic Kitchen.
• Kim and I discovered Hugo’s, hands down my favorite restaurant in 2009.
• Moved in with my current roommate, and long time friend, Brandi.
• Celebrated my birthday with tons of great people at Trailer Park Eatery.
• At one point, had 4 bouquets of flowers delivered at our apartment and they were all to me from different people. Felt very loved.
• I took and passed my state certification test to become a middle school teacher for science.

Brandi and me on Fourth of July

August

• The first two weeks of August, I tried to squeeze in as much time as I can with Alan because he was about to leave for Korea for up to 4.5 months.
• Starting, August 16, I started counting days Alan was gone.
• Kim came to visit the weekend of the 22nd and we saw Wicked.
• I saw 500 Days of Summer three times this month, in theatre, of course. This is the first movie I’ve done that.
• Jon visited from NYC.
• I got a part-time, part-time (yes you read that right) job, thanks to Brittany dropping a good word for me.

Alan’s last night out with friends before going to Korea.

September

• Hosted the first Alphabet pot luck. We started with the letter P.
• Wrote a blog entry about my journals, surprisingly my favorite blog entry of the year.
• Friends and I got dressed up for Deesh’s brother’s wedding reception.
• Visited Mary Ellen for a long weekend in Boston. First time I’ve gone to see her since 2005. Had best breakfast ever at Mike and Patty’s and most interesting hot pot.
• Alan surprised me by coming home from Korea early.
• Went out for Selina’s Bachelorette Party.

October

• Celebrated Alan’s birthday at Joe Dimaggio’s. Was very happy to have him back in Texas and to be able to celebrate his birthday with him and take him as a date to weddings. He had good timing :)
• Stood in Selina & Ryan’s Wedding and witnessed strong love.
• Realised I don’t really want to be a teacher.
• Threw 2nd Alphabet Potluck.
• Dressed up as a cow girl for Halloween.

November

• Went to Wurst Fest with friends.
• Went to Cathedral of Junk for the first time with Brandi.
• Texas Renaissance with Jessica and Brandi
• Had a wonderful Thanksgiving in Houston where I reunited with people I don’t normally see! (Willis, Thomas, Kim, Shane, Kelvin, Chris, Aishah, Kym, Hillary, Alex)
• Had my second progressive meal this year.

Having hot chocolate at Ren Fest.

December

• I started my new full time job and kept my part time night job.
• I struggled with what it means to be someone’s family.
• I struggled with what it means to be someone’s friend.
• I made truffles for the first time!
• Saw Avatar in IMAX opening night. Awesome.
• Attended and witnessed proudly, Bing graduate from college
• Attended annual Christmas Party for Big Brothers, Big Sisters of America with my little and her family.
• Jennifer from Philly is in town and I introduced her to Teucsher.
• I went home to Houston for Christmas break and was able to see Mary Ellen, Aishah, Pinky, Cindy, and Kim of course my lovely family.
• Had hot pot on Christmas day twice. Lunch with Mary Ellen and her mom and dinner with my own family. Hot potted out! (Blog entry to come.)
• Released balloons 4 days early as part of a New Year’s Tradition with Kim. (Blog entry to come.)
• Tonight, most likely will be going downtown for New Year’s and spending it with Alan.

After party in the car.

I’m a blessed girl. Instinctively, I’d tell you my 2009 was pretty awful but when I write it all out like this and focused on the good rather than the bad, I can see now I’m still quite lucky. Farewell, 2009.

Tell me how your year went. Or better yet, if you have a year in review entry, I’d love to read yours.

2000 Guadalupe St
Austin, TX 78705
(512) 480-0057

Last week, campus was pretty dead with all the students gone in between semesters. I had a slower day at work and my usual convenient lunch of Wendy’s was unavailable due to their closing down in between semesters. I yelped around for something within walking distance and decided on Hai Ky Cafe. I’ve been to Hai Ky in a rundown shopping center on Oltorf several years ago and I believe this is their swankier version nestled on Guadalupe (dubbed the “Drag” by Austinites). I had walked by it when eating at Tap House the day before.

Inside Hai Ky. There is also tables along a long cooridoor not pictured that looks pretty cozy and intimate.

When I enter a Vietnamese pho restaurant, I rarely get anything else but pho. I just always crave pho over the rice plates or vermicelli bowls in general when at a Vietnamese pho place. That aside, I haven’t had a vermicelli bowl in over ten years. The last one I had I don’t think I was even in high school yet and it was my mom’s. I don’t eat a lot of fresh vegetables or salads, and I prefer my meals warm and not cold/room temperature. Vermicelli bowls are chopped grilled meat and or chopped egg rolls tossed in cool vermicelli noodles and lettuce, bean sprouts, cucumbers, and carrots. (My mom used to chop up mint leaves in hers.) It’s very much like a salad, and as someone who does not usually crave salad, I just don’t bother with vermicelli bowls.

After a long stint of eating unhealthy foods with no color (save brown), I usually start craving veggies just to detox my system a little bit. It’s kind of like a halfass measly reboot of my diet. So for the first time in over ten years, I had a Vietnamese vermicelli bowl. I had mine with chopped egg rolls and it surprised me that it hit the spot! I will admit it has wet my appetite for this traditional dish a bit that maybe I won’t wait another ten years to have another one.

This is the prettiest vermicelli bowl, I’ve ever seen. (Though I’m not a big VB eater, I’ve seen my fair share as it’s a popular thing to order at pho restaurants). That dipping sauce is an essential part of the dish.

Mix it all up and dive in!

It was quite fresh, light, and tasty. Priced at $6.50, it’s pretty economical lunch. I must say $6.50 is about how much Hai Ky charges for a bowl of pho too. It’s a little steep in terms of Austin pricing for pho but when you factor in convenience for the UT student or staff member, that’s not bad. Maybe next time I’ll try it.

409 W 2nd St
Austin, TX 78701
(512) 236-1657
www.teuscheraustin.com

As I mentioned in my entry about my first visit to Teuscher, I’ve been meaning to go back to Teuscher to try their speciality that is champagne truffles. Angus, the owner stumbled on my blog entry not too long ago and reminded me I needed to go back and try these truffles (they didn’t have them the first time I went). So during today’s hustle and bustle of trying to get all the Christmas shopping done before my night time job, I thought I could squeeze in an hour with Ms. Jen from Philly. She’s in town for 2 weeks and I had a little stocking to give her. I dragged her along to my second trip to Teuscher.

It was a little humid so I opted for a iced mocha. The espresso had me flying and jittery (I skipped breakfast and lunch because of errands and traffic.) Jennifer ordered a hot chocolate because it was a little chilly inside.

I suspect Tom gave Jennifer’s hot chocolate a heart but we’ll never know. She sipped before noticing.

Inside: 2 dark champagne truffles, 1 almond truffle, and 1 Bailey’s truffle.

The truffles were delectable. I’d reorder all three kinds again. Jennifer liked that the champagne truffle wasn’t too liquidy. I think I found a place in Austin to frequent when I want to indulge in chocolates.

I love Jennifer. She’s one of my dearest friends and is never here in Texas long enough! Here she is showing off her cute, festive, Threadless shirt.

Well, I’ll be driving to Houston today (I haven’t gone to bed yet!). I won’t have a steady Internet connection in Houston but plan on scheduling a few entries while I’m gone.

Happy Holidays everyone!

1906 Guadalupe St
Austin, TX 78705

(512) 482-9880

One thing I’m enjoying as I’m acclimating to my new job at UT is relearning the campus and rediscovering old beloved haunts. One such place is Tapioca House, affectionately or lazily? dubbed “Tap House” as heard from most of my college friends and acquaintances. I’m delighted that they’re still open! It’s been over 4 years since I’ve had their food and over two years since I had their pearl drinks (kind of, I went to the Houston location over 2 years ago).

Tapioca House is first and foremost, a bubble tea/pearl drink place. It’s been 2 doors down from another longstanding pearl drink place called Coco’s. Now these recent years past, I go to Coco’s the North location to get my bubble tea because I could not be bothered to drive to campus. But before I graduated, Tapioca House was many a college student’s preference over Coco’s for some very obvious reasons.

1. Tap House has punch cards allowing you to earn a free drink after every 10 punches or so.

2. Coco’s and Tap House both served a handful of Taiwanese food. Both very good. What gave Tap House the edge with college students is the meal combos! You can get your bubble tea drink and for an additional two or three dollars, you get an authentic Taiwanese meal! Very economical for the broke college student.

So I was walking around the deserted campus on Monday and was going to try a new banh mi restaurant called “Bite Mi” (get it?) but much to my dismay, like a handful of eateries, Bite Mi is closed for the holidays. I guess with all the students gone for the holidays, some restaurants don’t find it worthwhile to stay open. It was no bother as I just walked a few doors over and I was reunited with Tap House!

I ordered one of my rotating usuals, a coconut milk tea. I made it a lunch combo and ordered their curried chicken. Now Tap House is all about product and doesn’t care too much for packaging. Decor is absent, design (if you can call it design) is only practical. You don’t come here for frills. One said frills is plates! Everything comes out in your own takeout box, regardless of whether you eat in or out.

True to my memories, the boxed meals still come with a side of sauteed bean sprouts and a soy sauce braised egg (We have these in Vietnamese cuisine too). Yum. As you can see, I like to douse most of my food with anything red and spicy. It was good and tasted like decent basic curry. I think I most enjoy just all the memories that were triggered from eating here. It was a quiet and peaceful lunch. I sat by the window and watched the very few people still on campus walk by.

4700 West Guadalupe
Austin, TX 78751

(512) 323-9494
www.galaxycafeaustin.com

Friday night, Alan, his friend, and I were going to see Avatar in IMAX (it is really worth it to see this movie in IMAX; you get the ulimate experience). Alan was craving a burger and we wanted to eat somewhere close to the Bob Bullock Museum, where the IMAX is. So we chose Galaxy Cafe. All three of us had been here once before and it was our second time. Alan and I went for lunch once and the place was jam-packed. The atmosphere reminds me of a trendy cafeteria. The set up is easy, upon walking in there are menus for you to grab near the door and up near the cashier. You order and then they take it out to you. I could have gone for a burger too myself, but I was too lazy to wash my hands so I ordered their bow tie pasta with shrimp. It comes with either a salad or soup.

Inside Galaxy. Not as crowded as lunch hour.

10611 Research Blvd
Austin, TX 78759
(512) 382-5864
www.terraburgeraustin.com

Alan texted me while I was at my night job tonight asking where the spaghetti was. I told him I threw it out and feeling nice, I offered to pick up something on my way home. He wanted to try out Terra Burgers. Neither of us have had it. It’s an all organic burger joint. I’m pretty indifferent to the organic movement. I know Alan prefers it so sometimes I cook with organic ingredients when I cook for us, but really, I don’t care.

So my goal was to only buy him a burger and at most take a bite of Alan’s. I had dinner at work with bags (2) of chips and pudding and wasn’t hungry. I almost succeeded in ordering just for him. “I want a Thousand Island Burger with fries, please…………….um make that two Thousand Island Burgers.” Dangit. It’s the lure of a new place. I like to try new eats, dammit. It’s impossible to ask me to order something for someone else at a new place and not expect me to get in on the action.

My bed time is midnight which gives me 6 hours of sleep a night on weeknights. It was 10:30pm when I ordered that burger. Bad! I have a New Year’s dress that has very little no room to grow in. I was counseled by a friend only to eat HALF of the burger and no fries. So on the way to Alan’s, I told myself that I’ll only eat half a burger and bring it for lunch tomorrow.

I failed.

I REALLY failed.

Well, here’s the review of Terra Burgers, written with a guilty conscience.

I prefer my Mighty Fine over Terra. At Terra Burger, all burgers are 1/3 lb and they’re 5.99 for just the burger. I’m guessing you’re paying for it being organic. Meh, it didn’t taste like a 5.99 burger to me. The fries were crumbly. Maybe it was my ordering at 10:30pm when they close at 11pm but the girl at the window told me I’m waiting a while because everything is being cooked as ordered. So, maybe they’re just crumbly or she just bullshitted me.

I like a little more seasoning in my burger or maybe a tiny bit more grease. Some more taste. I’m left wanting! Hard to believe with how much of it I ate, I know. The beef patty was so thick it was hard on my lockjaw. (BTW, I have a constant persistent case of lock jaw. The HORROR!)

Alan on the other hand enjoyed it. He think it’s pretty good for how healthy it is. I think he’ll be going back.

Anyway, it’s past my bedtime. Good night!

Yesterday, I hung out with my little and her family at the Big Brothers Big Sister’s Annual Christmas Party. It was a lot of fun. I’m a little jealous of her big family. :)

My little debuts her new dance move in the video below.