Disc Golf

It was only in the mid 40s yesterday and the ground was wet, but that didn't stop us from FINALLY trying out our new toys by playing a round of disc golf.

From "Winter" 2010

From "Winter" 2010

We played at the Wells Branch course, an easy 9-hole course not too far from our house. There were quite a few other groups out playing, also. And, we weren't the only group to put discs into the creek (which was high & chilly, and went right through our shoes into our socks.... not fun).

In the course of the round, I learned two things:

1. It's been a LOOONNNGGGG time since I've walked very far! But, I made it with only minimal pain.
2. It's been even longer since I threw a disc (and that was an ultimate disc, which feels very different in your hand than a golf disc).

But, it was a lot of fun, and moderately good exercise (especially for me -- with all the walking & coordination required).

Any other disc golfers out there? There look to be a ton of great courses around Austin which we'll have to check out!

Can you get a good bagel in Austin?

Shortly after we got married, Matt did something both wonderful & horrible: he took me to New York City and while there, we visited Daniel's Bagels (not far from Grand Central Station). Since that fantastic trip, I have been forever spoiled on finding a quality bagel in Austin.

As I learned in a very influential video (ha! check it out below - it's the band The Newsboys, believe it or not) during my formative years, if a bagel is "not boiled in water, it's just a roll with a hole."



While I can't say exactly that local places DON'T boil their bagels, I can tell you that there's something that's not quite right about bagels from Einstein's or Panera, and most definitely something not right among those sold in bags in the bread section, or individually in the donut section at the grocery store. If you ever had a real NY bagel, I think you'd see the difference. A real bagel has a dense, chewy interior and a crisp exterior (and no need to be toasted). The things you get at most places in Austin have soft bread-like interiors and flimsy crusts.

The best bagels I've found at a restaurant in Austin, believe it or not, are from Dunkin' Donuts, and only then if they're toasted (otherwise they're WAY too bready). These don't begin to compare to the joy that is a real bagel, but they'll do in a pinch, as a platform for cream cheese, if nothing else.

Runner-up is frozen Lender's bagels, microwaved a few seconds to thaw then toasted at home. These, also, aren't quite right, but do the job fairly well (and are darn cheap!).

Maybe I need to search out more locally-owned non-chains to find good bagels around Austin. We've found great bagels in Ruidoso, NM last fall (place is closed now, though - boo). Just last weekend, we got fantastic bagels at almost 8,000 feet in elevation, in Avon, CO.

If you know where I might find a good bagel in Austin, please let me know! If you recommend something good and worth visiting again, I just might buy you one to celebrate!

*By the way, I think Austin has a similiar lack of a good baguette. Maybe I'll comment on that hard-hitting topic sometime soon!

Austin vs. Maui - Food

Almost every time we met somebody in Maui and they asked where we were from, they'd say something like "Wow, Austin's such a great town!" or "I hear that's the best town in Texas" or just get all dreamy and say "Austin..."

Inspired by those comments, and with much love for my adopted home town, I offer this un-inclusive comparison between Austin & Maui, specifically the food options in each area.

Austin vs. Maui: Fancy Restaurants

Yeah, it's not a surprise that Austin wins this hands down. It is probably a matter of population size, but Austin offers so many good choices for fancier dining. Maui puts up a good fight (with some celebrity chefs in resort areas), and admittedly we've only tried two "fancy" restaurants (at the Hotel Hana Maui, and also Mala, which is at least locally-based rather than a concept by an outside chef) but I'd say Austin wins. Austin has a remarkably good scene for foodies, featuring excellent fine-dining restaurants of both of the home-grown and imported varieties.

Austin vs. Maui: Local-Cuisines

Austin wins this hands down as well. There's just no doubt that the local cuisines of Austin (BBQ & Tex Mex) are better than those of Maui (Spam & Loco Moco). I think that the fact that we've had some competent Mexican (not quite Tex-Mex) in Maui (Cilantro in Lahaina was pretty good and Maui Tacos is affordable and can be quite nice when the staff is following the recipes) and have seen several supposedly Texas-style BBQ places proves in Maui this fact. Plus, I can't think of anyplace in Austin that features Spam Mosubi.

This entree alone puts Austin in the lead: (Chicka-Chicka-Boom-Boom enchiladas from Chuy's). That's better than poi any day!

From Home from Hawaiian Vacation

Austin vs. Maui: Pizza

Sorry friends, this one goes to Maui. While Austin puts up a good fight with the likes of Saccones (my favorite local place - New Jersey style), Maui beats Austin with the Flatbread Company (located in Pa'ia). Tasty pizzas with fresh ingredients cooked in a super hot oven.

My brother Steve took a picture of the Flatbread Company's pizza with kalua pig, goat cheese, and other yummy ingredients.

Austin vs. Maui: Fresh Fish

Obviously Maui. It's an island. Enough said. :)

Austin vs. Maui: Fresh Pineapple

Edge to Maui but Austin isn't that bad. I think a whole fresh ripe pineapple in Austin (keep in mind - whole pineapple, not those that are pre-cored at HEB) compares quite favorably to those found in grocery stores in Maui. Ok, I haven't gone to the pineapple plantation to pick my own or anything, but overall, the pineapples we get here are actually quite like those on Maui. I think that it might just be the general tropical vibe that makes them taste better on Maui. (And, I fully understand that my husband & friends probably disagree with me here.)

Austin vs. Maui: Prices in Grocery Stores

Obviously Austin. It's probably not fair to compare an island to a city in the heart of Texas in this way, but I have photographic proof, so I had to include this category.

Comparison of what Stubb's BBQ marinades cost in Maui vs Austin.


$6.75 on sale in Maui.














$2.55 on sale in Austin.


Yes, Stubb's is local to Austin, so this isn't quite a fair comparison. But, again, I had pictures so I had to post them. :) It was mostly just fun to be in Maui and notice that they sold a product from home!








Austin vs. Maui: Shave Ice

Maui knows how to make it. There's a reason it's often called Hawaiian shave ice. Hawaiians know how to make it properly: Start with good quality ice. Then shave it (don't crush it or grind it). Then, use fresh flavorings that have been kept COLD. That last point is really the key. Even if you have bad ice that's not too finely shaved, if the flavor is cold, you'll be far better off. When you put the flavor on at room-temperature, it melts the ice a bit, creating nasty chunks. Hawaiian Shave Ice places know how to avoid that. And, using flavorings that are fresh (or at least hand-made) seems to improve the flavor - somehow more pure fruit flavors without having to resort to just sugary sweetness. They also know how to put in things like ice cream to enhance the experience (which most places in the mainland wouldn't even try, let alone get right). Too bad Austin doesn't get this, since good Shave Ice would be mighty nice come August! (There are a few competent local places, notably Sno Beach, but it's just not the same.)

Here's one example of good shave ice on Maui. This was from a road-side stand in the middle of nowhere, and they still get it better than anyplace in Austin! I think this was cherry-pineapple. Notice the huge serving, straw & spoon.

From Sunday in Maui: Road to Hana