... never kloses!

Ate at Paggi House Thursday night... either I'm jaded or they deserve their reputation... the food, for the most part, was good I just don't see the need to pay that much for presentation, as the service wasn't up to par, either.

never very fond of Paggi House. Favorite Austin Italian spots... (besides the ones on my body) Carmelo's Mezzaluna and then there's this cook at a place called Little Italy... if you touch the right places... well...

(apologies Kitchen Manager, I realize you are trying to elicit serious banter here!)

s'okay... meant to say up there (response #32) that they don't deserve their reputation... no need to apologize, you just have to show me those spots... (you rank Carmello's and Mezzaluna above my Marsala and Tiramisu? now the truth comes out...)

twas the paranoid man inside you who suspected I was ranking! But I'm fairly certain other visitors don't get the same 'special sauce' and I wouldn't want to sign you up for more than you bargained for! *smile*

Paul Terry Walhus ate at the restaurant last night.

with company? who WAS she?!?! *giggle* (can't wait to tease!)

(I've noticed...)

Jon Penner ate at the restaurant tonight.

Jon does the windsurfing site that the Spring hosts, he lurks here sometimes.

Hi all. Good to meet km the other night. Another great dinner (as usual). Talk about tough working environment for the km; it must have been at least 110 F. Coming home from that, setting the AC at 90 would feel cool! Debate for dinner place that night was Gators or LI; no question in my mind. I ordered the spaghetti w/ spicey Italian sausage. Used to be on the menu a few years ago, but still get it anyway. What do you think is the *best* thing on the menu?

hey WER, is your name anywhere on the menu? *smile*

not for the general public, just a few select diners... (but thanks for asking!) Let's see...Stacey's had the de Pino and the Tiramisu, Terry has had the Veggie Deluxe Pizza, Chicken Marsala, Shrimp Parmesan and Tiramisu, and as for me...

yes?

Made it to LI last night (Wed). Had the Chicken Marsala, it was great! Checked with the waitress & the KM was off. I keep forgetting to bring the free dinner coupon I won, I'll remember one of these days. Was at Mezzaluna's the other night for the first time, Lamb rack was good, almost as good as the stuff I had in New Zealand in February. Actually had Tiramisu for the first time ever there. I'm usually too full to order desert... Stacey, Did you get any of that snow I've been hearing about in Denver?

nope. the snow was strictly reserved for the 'high country' (above 9,000 feet). In fact, the weather has been BEAUTIFUL here. 80s in the day and back down to 50s in the evening. I love being able to bring a sweater everywhere I go but not having to wear a coat! And the mornings are always so new and fresh smelling... No eat-in restaurants lately... lot of delivery and take out. Jade Dragon -- schezuwan (yeah,yeah,yeah, whatever) bean curd and shrimp fried rice Fazoli's -- baked spaghetti Blackjack -- pizza how'd ya get a free coupon for Little Italy?!?

Jon found hidden treasure... if'n I heard correctly, he ate there last night, also...

Follow those links, never know what you might find/win! I guess I need to pick non-Wednesday nights if KM is going to do the artwork. Sorry, haven't been on for a while. Work... ya know. Temps have been in low 100's the past few days.

uggghhoo! (don't like 100 degrees!) (where do you work jon?)

I think he works up near where we used to work, Stace.

hell?

sort of... more like the purgatory between Austin and Round Rock... (Remember when we had to drive all the way to the Arboretum for lunches Paul?) (Wait... were you there when the upstairs first opened?)

I was there when the upstairs was in the final stage of completion. When they built the rabbit compound. I haven't heard from Bill for a long time. I heard Kim moved on. I heard Tom Vu got hooked up with Stacy, the blond who worked for Richard. That was kind of a strange scene.

A rabbit compound?!?!?! To keep the frying pans going? THAT's a strange scene!

Yep, Round Rock (Hell - at least since Dell moved here). Used to be able to cruise out here or back to town (opposite of IBM-Georgetown traffic). Only good thing that has happened out here in the last 10 years is more eating places. El Arroyo, La Margarita & tons of new ones I can't even name around WallMart. Went to Indian place down from Souper Salads yesterday, not bad. I saw a new Itailan place there too.

An Italian place?!?! Sounds weirder by the minute. Weirder? More weird? This language gets weirder by the minute too!

I received an email from Tom Vu awhile back... he and Stacy (Baden???) were living together... Mike just left the rabbit and joined a travel agency that may send him out to San Francisco (where he has wanted to be for years!) Freddy was still working there with his CNA certification and sounding really centered. I heard Bill left the company to pursue the electronic commerce... Yep... been a long time in only two short years!

Stacy is working at Tivoli, saw her name on the employee list, Stace. I see Bill has moved to North Lamar and is doing something with web based customer prospecting. I thought I saw Kim pull out of Lanier High out of the corner of my eye the other day, maybe it was her. I hope you drift back in! Italian. Back on topic. wer, that brione was fabulous the other night. Thanks again for the pass! Can you pass along the recipe for the sauce or is it a trade secret? And the same with the coffee . . . what is your favorite brand/flavor? Yep, shrimp brione. Very tasty! We kept hoping you would make an appearance but the reports were that you were very backed up in the kitchen. One of the waiters may have known Kristen, he sent her a desert! That tiramisu you made was so rich I had to order the coffee to finish it, the coffee revived my appetite for it by counterbalancing the sweetness. Does werwife still rate Carmello's as number one? Jon, are you getting back on track with the website? What do you need from us? Keep reminding me ok?

what other dessert did you all have?

Some desert that one of the waiters gave to Kristen. I don't know what it was. I had some ice cream. You're sidestepping my recipe request, okay, okay, must be a trade secret!

yep, sorry...

Kristen's still scratching her head trying to find out who gave her that desert. Parachuting buddy. And she's scratching her head about a comment of yours, too. She can't figure it out.

which would be? (I don't know anyone here that parachutes...as there were only two waiters on that night, was it your's, or the other one?)

The other one, I believe.

yep, he thought Kristen was so irresistably gorgeous that he just had to buy her dessert...

so, what comment of mine had the birthday girl scratching her head?

Something about an invite to dinner, can't locate it now. Speaking of birthday girls, happy birthday Kristen!!! So, what does brione mean?

last name of the guy who created the dish, from what I understand...

Was in LI Monday night, finally figured out NOT to go on Wednesday as it is WER's day off. Had the Lasagna which was fantastic as usual. I'm just finishing the leftovers now as I type. (Paul, the http://access.spring.net/~awc web site is back on the air. Thanks!)

Wow, they give wer a day off?

so-so...actually, I was in for several hours before the place opened, but I did have all the hours we were open off...

How ironic.

never thought of it as ironical...

That the chef works when there are no customers? It's not as if you're a pastry chef (although you may do that as well--forgot about all that tiramisu!)

Better something, Better Crust?

You lost me, Terry...

Name of the folks that make the bread sticks for Olive Gardin.

gotcha...

Do you think she really meant to say Butter Crust and not Better Crust? Does Butter Crust make Italian bread sticks? Does the Lil Italy bake it's own breadsticks?

Butter Crust might...especially for a deal like that... And, yes, we make our own bread from scratch at the restaurant...

Any tips on making bread sticks? Or any brand you recommend?

lemme think on that one...

pause for a deep thought break.

This year's Chronicle Readers Poll for Best Italian says: Basil's Runners-up: Romeo's,Mezzaluna Honorable mentions: Carraba's Italian Grill, Carmelo's, Olive Garden, Pizza Nizza The critic's list says: Best Gelatos e Sorbettos--Milano's Best Italian Potential--Vespaio Best Spaghetti and Meatballs--Treehouse Italian Grilll

I've been to Romeos but not Basils. What's so great about Basils. And boo, no LI mention!

I gotta vote for Carmelo's!

(oh, how far I have slipped!...) These things be not Italian Caesar salad Anything parmigiana other than eggplant Grated cheese on seafood (there a few exceptions but they are very few) Espresso with a lemon twist Architectural food Pasta "swimming" in sauce Parsley as a garnish Olive oil as a dip for bread Warm goat cheese Ricotta cheese in lasagna Balsamic vinegar on salad

If it tastes good, Eat it.

and sometimes, If it looks good, Eat it!

Or at least try it, anyway.

I pretty much make it a rule to always swallow.

You have to be really careful what you put in your mouth, if that is the case.

read Dale Rice's latest review of Little Italy at http://www.austin360.com/entertainment/dining/reviews/littleitaly.html

What does he mean by "relatively attentive" - service didn't always reply his e-mails? ;=}

very nice...fortunately, he only communicated with me by phone...

...ok, that !WAS! ghastly, I'm sorry. Wait - this guy calls in, and then writes a review? Wow. That's how to do it! Bet they sell zillions of copies. Doing it the honest way just doesn't pay, but I don't know any other.

he was fact checking for the article...had already eaten there...

Italian Restaurants are on the rise. My favorite of course is Little Italy because they are so well managed in their kitchen. Famous for tiramisu! I wonder how late they stay open? Chronicle Readers don't agree with me, however. The envelope please. Thank you, tears open envelope, the winner is . . . Vespaio Huh? Never heard of this dive. Carmelos and Mezzaluna came in next. Isn't Mezzaluna where Nicoel Got error 2 (No such file or directory) in out of time(null) baldur:~ $ Carmelos and Mezzaluna came in next. Isn't Mezzaluna where Nicole and OJ used to hang out? Romeos, Treehouse Grill and Cafe Spezzano get honorable mention. And the so called critics didn�t even include Italian as a category. Do you spell Austin Chronicle �haphazard�? Maybe I just didn�t see it. I can't believe these so called critics can�t have an Itialian restaurant pick. And maybe Vespaio isn't a dive after all.

Sorry, but if/when I get to Austin I eat Italian in One Place Only. Knots in the tummy and all... All the stars are in my eyes?