Good Food and Atmosphere at Hill’s Cafe in Austin

There’s a reason why Hill’s Cafe has been a south Austin institution since 1947 — and that reason is good food and a fun and friendly atmosphere.

Comfort Food at its Best – Dot’s Place in Pflugerville

Dot’s Place serves up heaps of comfort in Pflugerville.

Romantic Evening at Casa Colombia in Austin

Casa Colombia was a wonderful choice this year for Valentine’s Day.

It’s Italian – Fresh, Friendly and Flavorful

One of the things I love about living in Austin is the abundance of really great family-owned neighborhood restaurants. Located in Wells Branch in the same spot as the original Gumbo’s, It’s Italian is one of those neighborhood jewels. The owners and their staff are friendly and a lot of care goes into creating each menu item. The food is not only delicious, the presentation of each dish is gorgeous.

County Line BBQ by Car or by Boat

No 4th of July is complete without barbecue. It was too hot to cook out this year, so the entire family went to County Line. Set in an old lake lodge on Bull Creek, you can get there by car or by boat.

Chicka Chicka Boom Boom at Chuy’s

You gotta love a place that serves Chicka Chicka Boom Boom enchiladas! Chuy’s is Austin Tex-Mex to the max. I’ve eaten at four of the five Austin locations and have never been disappointed.

El Pollo Rico – I LOVE this chicken!

Delicious chicken from a drive-thru take-out? You bet! Austin’s El Pollo Rico is not your typical fast food. Perfectly seasoned charbroiled chicken is wrapped with a grilled onion to go in butcher paper. The Pollo Entero Combo — an entire chicken, rice, beans, a lime, eight corn tortillas and two kinds of incredible salsa — is only $11.99.

El Faro – My New Favorite Austin Restaurant

I have a new favorite restaurant — El Faro Taco & Cafe on Wells Branch Parkway in North Austin. The food at this family-owned restaurant is incredible. And so is the service. Owner and Chef Morales — as well as his wife, son and mother-in-law — made my husband and I feel like we were part of the family.

Tea and Tiramisu at PF Chang’s China Bistro in Austin

This week I happened to be downtown for a trade fair with a co-worker and we decided to treat ourselves by enjoying lunch at the PF Chang’s near the Convention Center. It was a indeed a treat — from the first sip of warm fragrant tea to the last bite of fluffy tiramisu!

Mmmmmmmmmm … Migas at Cisco’s in Austin

Cisco’s has been serving Tex-Mex for breakfast and lunch since the 1950’s, so I cannot imagine how I was able to live here for 16 years before discovering this east Austin institution. Now that I have tasted the unbelievable migas served with tender fajitas, the melt-in-your-mouth homemade biscuits with honey and melted butter and the hot flavorful coffee, I cannot wait to go back for more.

Good Food and Good Friends at Vivo in Austin

For over a year, my dear friend Elizabeth and I have been trying to find time in our busy schedules for dinner. We finally got together this weekend at Vivo on Manor Road in Austin.

Celebrating Chinese New Year at TC Noodle House

The hubster and I celebrated Chinese New Year in 2009 at the Chinatown Center on Lamar Blvd. in Austin. Choosing a place to eat was no easy task because of the delicious aromas coming from every restaurant. We decided to try TC Noodle House and it was an excellent choice.

Easy Corn Casserole Recipe

I found this recipe in the Austin American Statesman in 1994. It has become a part of our annual Thanksgiving meal. Make it part of yours.

Judy’s Buttermilk Pecan Pie Recipe

This recipe is a twist on traditional pecan pie. I first tasted this delicious pie at a relative’s house in Louisiana. Now, I make several of these every Thanksgiving because my family loves them.