Ranger Review: Austin, TX Edition

As we planned our October 2009 wedding we made several trips from Oklahoma down to Austin, Texas, where we got married.  While most of our trips were "all business", we did fit in some great meals in Austin and on the way there. Austin is a really cool city, with a little of something for everyone...and plenty of locally sourced food to go around!

Papa Rollo's Pizza, Waco, TX
We found this gem on our first trip down to Austin in the summer of 2008.  We stayed in Waco on the way and asked the hotel clerk where we could get some local pizza.  No, they didn't recommend Papa Rollo's, but we passed it on the way to the other place.  Always up for a hole-in-the-wall, we couldn't resist.  We got to stop a second time this summer for the perfect pizza. 

Yes, it's that good.

Terra Burger, Austin, TX
The best of both worlds...burgers and fries and natural and organic foods.  We loved Terra Burger so much that we returned our wedding weekend.  One of the locations is drive-thru only and the other is near UT.  We went to the drive through during the hell that is an OK/TX summer.  It was so hot that we ate in the Civic.  We pretended we were young again and ate at UT on our second visit.  You just have to try it....and order a Mexican Coke.  Heaven.  Even the packaging is green...we dig it.

Hill Country Hickory Burger...

Thousand Island Burger...

So wrong, but so very right.

Primize Osteria, Austin, TX
We chose Primizie for our rehearsal lunch the day before our wedding.  It was very important to find an Austin restaurant that sources local ingredients and that wasn't a chain.  We had an AMAZING family-style meal for 25 at Primize.  It is sophisticated and comfortable, modern and sleek.  It will always be a special place for us to return to.

Back in Action

My initial attempt at keeping up with this blog was short lived, wasn't it. By the end of the summer, Chris and I were neck deep in wedding planning and preparation. The big day finally came on October 25th and we're now happily married!

This time, I'm serious about the blog...can't you see the look on my face?



Although I'm usually the cook, Chris is right behind me...enjoying every last bite...and keeping the kitchen tidy...he's my sous chef. So, we're going to re-start this blog together...

Let's take a trip back in time so that we can indulge ourselves in the most exciting weekend of our lives. Why not get things rolling with some teaser pics from our wedding photographer, Jake Holt. All pictures should be credited to Jake Holt Photography.















There were some great meals leading up to the wedding (of course)...and lots of food that weekend in Austin. Promise to share that soon. Stay tuned, folks. I'm back in action!

Blast From the Past

I mentioned in an earlier post that I had lived in the SF bay area while working at San Francisco Maritime National Historical Park. I had the opportunity this month to return to beautiful Marin County for a family event. I can't even begin to express how beautiful Marin County is. It it situated just north of the Golden Gate Bridge and is filled with scenic vistas and quaint communities. I lived in Golden Gate National Recreation Area's Marin Headlands when I first arrived for my job out there. I then moved to Mill Valley, where I had an apartment with a co-worker.

It was fun to spend our time visiting some of my old haunts and sampling California cuisine. I wish so badly that we could have fresh, local, and organic food here in Oklahoma...Marin County certainly has it figured out. Chris and I certainly won't turn down a good meal! We ate our way through a four day weekend and soaked up the views! We had our new baby, a Canon EOS Rebel XS, to keep us company. It's clear we still need to read the manual, but it was so much fun to click away...

Our ride for the weekend.