Second Helpings: Water's Edge
Satay, Java Noodles, Saba Blue Water Cafe, Bistro 88, Habana, Gilligan's, Cafe Josie, Bahama Breeze
Fri., Feb. 22, 2002
The weekly Chronicle feature "Second Helpings" offers readers the opportunity to sample tasty, bite-sized restaurant listings compiled from new and previous reviews, guides, and poll results. This week's entries were updated by Chronicle writer Greg Beets. When you need quick, reliable information about Austin eateries, check here.
Satay, the Asian Cookery
3202 W. Anderson Lane, 467-6731Monday-Thursday, 11am-2:30pm, 5-10pm; Friday, 11am-2:30pm, 5-11pm;
Saturday, 5-11pm;
Sunday, 11am-2:30pm, 5-10pm
Satay is indeed an Asian cookery, blending culinary influences from Malaysia, Indonesia, Cambodia, and the Philippines. But as a Thai-owned operation, Dr. Foo Swasdee's Satay is both a popular restaurant and a successful line of Thai condiments and sauces. The pan-Asian eatery features curries, noodle dishes, stir-fries, dumplings, salads, and several varieties of the signature dish for which it's named. Check out the Sunday brunches where the buffet is all vegetarian on the first and third Sundays of each month.
Java Noodles
2400 E. Oltorf, 443-5282Monday-Friday, 11am-2:30pm, 5-10pm;
Saturday, noon-10pm; Sunday, noon-9:30pm
The food at this unassuming Indonesian eatery is so diverse and remarkable that the Chronicle critics named chef Johanes Mulja Di as one of Austin's two best chefs in Java's first year of business. Traditional Indonesian dishes presented here are perfectly seasoned, spicy, and full-flavored without being too fiery. The $6.95 Sunday brunch buffet has to be one of the city's best bargains, but get there early before all the good stuff is gone. The owners have also opened the new Java Market retail store a couple of doors down from the restaurant.
Saba Blue Water Cafe
208-D W. Fourth, 478-7222Monday, 4pm-midnight; Tuesday-Friday,
11am-2am; Saturday, 5pm-2am
The Warehouse district crowd has really taken to the tapa-sized portions on the Saba menu that chef Larry Perdido describes as pan-Pacific/Caribbean. Look for bright island flavors and prices in the $6-to-$12 range. This smartly designed spot is an inviting locale to gather the crowd to sample a variety of dishes for dinner and drinks. Friendly service and a very busy bar. We hear the new Saba outlet in downtown Houston is packing them in.
Bistro 88
2712 Bee Caves Rd., 328-8888Monday-Thursday, 11am-2pm, 5:30-9:30pm; Friday, 11am-2pm, 5:30-10pm; Saturday, 5:30-10pm; Sunday, 11:30am-2pm, 5:30-9pm
Bistro 88 took over the former Chinatown and Pacific Moon location in Rollingwood this spring, featuring a somewhat nontraditional Asian menu. The offerings include some of the more popular Pacific Moon dishes plus an array of continental meat, poultry, seafood, and vegetarian items blended with ingredients from around the Pacific Rim. Their bistro lunch menu is priced in the range of $6 to $12, there is an "early bird" dinner menu served from 5:30 to 6:30 in the $7-to-$11 range, and dinner entrées vary from Domino Tofu to Rice Paper Wrapped Sea Bass and Rack of Lamb.
Habana
2728 S. Congress, 443-4252Sunday-Thursday, 11am-10pm;
Friday-Saturday, 11am-11pm
Although the restaurant formerly known as Borinquen is now Habana, the tasty Latin Carribean fare and friendly service still remain. Specialties include the Sandwich Cubano (roast pork and ham on a toasted sub roll), fricasee de pollo (chicken stew) and ropa vieja (spicy shredded beef in tomato sauce). You can even get staples like fried chicken and hamburgers prepared with a distinctly Carribean twist. And don't forget the Cuban coffee and flan for dessert.
Gilligan's
407 Colorado, 474-7474Sunday-Thursday, 5:30-9:30pm;
Friday-Saturday, 5:30-10pm
This has long been one of our favorite places to be marooned at dinnertime. Piano music in the background, a very convivial bar crowd, and chef Fred Geesin's tasty seafood creations attract everyone from the Skipper and Mary Ann to downtown business types. Geesin's brightly colored sauces and enticing condiments are awash in Floribbean flavors that complement his grilled seafood offerings perfectly.
Cafe Josie
1200 W. Sixth, 322-9226Monday, 11:30am-2pm; Tuesday-Friday, 11:30am-2pm, 6-10pm; Saturday, 6-10pm
Homegrown chef/owner Charles Mayes has built up quite a loyal following at this cozy West Austin neighborhood joint. When the weather is mild, it's possible to enjoy his light and healthy island-inspired cuisine on the lovely little secluded patio. The small dining room is also a comfortable spot in which to feast on plump crab cakes, flavorful rice pilaf, and delicious grilled fish with fiery fruit salsas.
Bahama Breeze
9505 Stonelake Blvd., 345-9979Sunday, noon-midnight; Monday-Thursday, 4pm-midnight; Friday-Saturday, 4pm-1am
This far northwest watering hole has become quite a popular spot in just less than a year. The menu boasts several authentic Caribbean dishes (conch chowder, jerk chicken, Cuban sandwiches, ropa vieja, fried tostones) as well as a large selection of American fare with definite tropical influences. They feature festive island beverages sure to soothe even the most rakish pirate and a huge selection of bottled beers from all over the Caribbean in addition to fresh-squeezed lemonade.
