The more I've read, the more I'm leaning towards trying out Shalimar first. It sounds like the kind of non-pretentious place that we would enjoy. Has anyone actually been there that can give some kind of review? Conversely, the more I read about the Clay Pit and Star of India, the less I want to go there.
Good God man, Shalimar is not for the faint stomach. Their food is good, but damn greasy. My buddy loves their biriyani and tandoori chicken with naan. Just be careful about going there for lunch buffet -> you'll either sh*t it all out within the next hour, or fall asleep back at your desk.
the last place i went for dim sum was tien hong, it was good. but i think paos is hands down the best chinese in austin.
Indian Don't know. It seems to all suck compared to London Chinese Sea Dragon T and S Pao Manderin House Japanese Mikado Mushashino Greek Don't know Korean BBQ Korea House Vietnamese Pho/Sandwiches Pho Danh (same as the one in hong kong supermarket) Pho Saigon There aren't any good sandwiches in Austin. My favorite Asian restaurant in Austin is Le Soleil which is a vietnamese place . Madam Mam's is the best Thai place in Austin.
Indian: Shalimar, Clay Pit Greek: Zorba's (620), Tom's Tabooley? Korean: Koriente Pho: Triumph Cafe (Pho on the drag is crap), Pho Saigon Banh mi: Lily's Sandwich on Lamar/Braker by MT Supermarket
I have to concur about shali it isn't for the faint of heart, but it is pretty good and it isn't as bland as say a star of India. It has some flavor. I would highly recommend Bombay Bistro and I've been to every Indian restaurant in austin except the one near joy east.
-Kerbey Lane has some badarse breakfast tacos -Mellow Mushroom is the best pizza I've ever head, not to mention the calzones.. -Kyoto is nice...the "Longhorn" is pretty good
By "not for the faint stomach", do you just mean it's greasy? Or is it spicier or what? I mean... I spent a month in India last year, so I was vaguely hoping for something a little more authentic and less "lots of elephant statues and paintings of Lord Shiva on the wall". But I would also like to avoid any extended time in the bathroom, if you know what I mean. I guess what I'm saying is that I'm sophisticated enough to know "good" Indian food when I eat it. Ideally, I want to find someplace in between pretentious/bland and unsanitary/greasy. Sounds like "Star of India" and "Clay Pit" are more pretentious and/or bland, whereas Shalimar is more of a grease bucket. I don't know. I guess it's just what you can get in Austin.
Tex-Mex - Los Reyes in Cedar Park Chinese - Din Ho (bring at least 5 people to really get the most of it) Pizza - Saccone's in Leander Home Cooking - Hoover's is great, Dot's in Pflugerville is awesome. Monument Cafe in Georgetown is also a good choice if you are up there. Indian - Sarovar BBQ - Smitty's in Lockhart and City Market in Luling are among the best in Texas.
It's worth a trip to Clay Pit just for the curried mussel appetizer (only thing I've had there)...bowl of that + bread for sopping sauce = meal.
Indian - Madras Pavillion (vegetarian), Star of India, Clay Pit (the Rack of Lamb is awesome), Bombay Bistro Chinese - Haven't had any good Chinese food in Austin, but I'm not a big fan Japanese - Musashino Sushi Dokoro Korean BBQ - Haven't had any Korean BBQ I like in Austin Vietnamese Pho/Sandwiches - Tan My (for Pho), Tam Deli (for sandwiches) Thai - Little Thailand (in Del Valle)
Thai Passion is great for Thai food. Most of the other places are mentioned here. Some of my favorite places in Austin not on your lists. Some nice places: Gumbos - Cajun food Flemings - Steak House Eddie V's - Seafood and Steaks Fonde San Miguel - Authentic Mexican Nice - Inexpensive alternatives Cypress Grill - Cajun Food HoffBrau - Butter steaks (heart attack - but an icon) Pappadeaux - Seafood and steaks Texican - Mexican food I have been looking for good Indian and Pakistani food for a couple of years, so far no luck......working in the UK the last couple of years spoiled me....there are some good suggestions here, so I am gonna have to give em a try... Good thread. DD
Also: Sunflower - Vietnamese food (classic entrees, not Pho). located in the Target shopping center at 183 & Ohlen Rd. (same lot as Din Ho Chinese BBQ, which rules).
Isn't Star of India and Bombay Bistro owned by the same people? Their buffets are nearly identical. And to me, taste the same. I've been to the Star of India on Anderson numerous times and the Bombay Bistro on Bee Caves a couple of times. If they're different, it's REALLY subtle.
