#16: SXSW

So, as I've been mentioning on and off, SXSW was just two weeks ago. I've always seen it as something to do vs. a must do. I've always been more into the music portion oppose to just looking for free booze, though any party that might be good usually has free booze.

I must say, one of the best events I went to During SXSW was the OBEY showcase from 2008.


I tend to listen to a lot of hip hop. I originally went there because I was checking out Flying Lotus' myspace page and found that he was playing SXSW. Freaking awesome! (I just checked his page again and -sigh- I missed him this year :'( ) My assumption was that he'd be playing with like similar acts and really, my assumption was better than anything music map could pull up. I also ended up with a 45' remix copy of the Gaslamp Killer's sample. Overall, an awesome night.

Perhaps it's just me, but after having been in Austin a while, the thought of SXSW is...just tiring. There's just too much to pick from, and then, of course you have to research everything and RSVP to parties. Part of the beauty of SXSW is that you don't have to go to everything, you have choices and you don't have to go to anything. There's something cool about discovering a new cool underground band, there's also something nice about being able to stay home and not feel like you should be out. Been there, done that. And another cool thing:

you could see GWAR!

#15: Crepes

If I remember correctly, last Saturday was the last day of SXSW. Honey Plum (otherwise known as Pumpkin) and I are not fond of cold weather which really was killer on the last day. We were getting hungry and we went to the nearest place that was indoors with food. It ended up being Le Cafe Crepe.


I'd say one of the main appeals of this place is having savory crepes in addition to the sweet ones. It's not exactly steak and kidney pie, but it'll do. I'd been here once before when this place was a Brazilian joint. I guess it didn't do too well. Anyway, if you ever happen to be here in the area, try a moderately priced crepe. They're a decent size and they have a very nice house blend coffee that goes well with it. It's a cozy place to escape the cold from.

# 14: Pancakes!

Wow it's been a while. There's just been a lot going down, SXSW in particular - I also helped rescue some puppies this past Monday. Nothing but a lot of spreading the love.

I have a link to my Yelp page on this blog. I don't normally update my reviews because I plan on it and never get to it. Recently I paid a follow up visit Cafe Java with three guinea pigs (my friend, sister, and sister's boyfriend.) I've touted this place as having the best pancakes when compared to Magnolia Cafe and Kerbey Lane. As a result, everyone ordered the pancakes except me because I'm a genius. What's the new consensus? I took the time to record some of the things my friends said:

sister's boyfriend: "I've never enjoyed pancakes so much."

friend: "I'm glad I didn't order the waffles."

Yep. Cafe Java is the best place for pancakes and if you go there - only order the pancakes. I ordered the corned beef hash.

Me: "Definitely not like mom and dad used to make."

I think it's just a textural thing in the case of the corned beef hash. My parents just make it better.

Things to NOT get at Cafe Java: Corned beef hash, Migas

They have the best pancakes and a pretty good BLT. Can a place survive just based off of that? Their pancakes are really that good.

#13: Specialties

I was in San Antonio not too long ago and I found myself craving bubble tea from Tong's Thai - the 1st place in San Antonio to ever sell bubble tea. In particular, I was craving their Thai-Grrr drink which is an awesome combination of mango, papaya, and coconut milk. Aside from making it yourself, really, the only place you can get it is Tong's Thai.

This is an Austin blog, so mirroring this "I can only get this here" theme in Austin is Short 'n Sweet's Kurazzee drink (Crazy). Probably the craziest thing about this drink is how it's a mixture of puddings, jellies, and tapioca floating around in some kind of refreshing...tea? juice? I hear it's winter melon juice. Anyway, the moral of this story is, if you ever go to a restaurant or cafe, get their special. Seriously, they're good at making it, and they like making it (isn't that the definition of a specialty?) Among other things, if you can only get your certain something at a specific place, they don't want to be remembered for being screw ups (especially on something they claim to be good at.)borrowed from yelp

To all the Red Lobster's out there

Could you serve some seafood with that butter? Seriously.

Yesterday night I indulged in the lobster lover's feast and while both lobsters were great, the pasta was a blend of lots of shrimp, bits of lobster, and a heaping ladle of buttah!

Coming from a butter lover, this is too much >:(

Having finally indulged in lobster fest, I can say that it's overrated - much like Valentine's day. Now I'm going to relay a lot of my time towards finding a good crayfish place since my go-to place closed down. Tis the season for crayfish :) and I need to get my 5 lbs in. Any suggestions?

#12: Cake Day!

Score! I was a woman on a mission earlier today. For the benefit of anyone who wants to know, Friday is the day to get your cake fix at the MT Market. I think only two of these you can get anytime of the week at the Oriental Grocery and Bakery - the sapin-sapin and the ensaymada, but everything else comes in a once a week shipment from, I'm assuming, the Hong Kong Food Market in the HK City Mall off of Bellaire Ave in Houston, TX. If you have the opportunity to go there - do it.