Guest Contributor: Josh Kerr
Annie’s Cafe & Bar is just right around the corner from my office. Its a beautiful Monday morning and I’m excited because today is their opening day. I lace up my most comfortable vintage New Blance sneakers and open the door to the fresh smell of Downtown Austin summer. Its a glorious day. On my walk over to Annie’s, I notice a small bird drinking from a puddle on the sidewalk. There is a mom pushing a stroller with a cute baby. The world is in perfect harmony.
I arrive at Annie’s and see a lovely windowed store front that obviously let’s lot of sunlight into the restaurant. I walk in and head over to the counter to palce my order. There are three people in front of me. As I’m waiting I glance at the menu. Oh, they have Panini’s. I love those. Maybe a cuban sandwich. No, I think I’ll have a Burger. No, the Tuna Burger. Yeah, that’s what I’ll get. I notice that four minutes have passed and the line hasn’t moved.
Great selection of salads and pastas.
I pull out my camera and take a few photos. My stomach starts to rumble. I see a fly buzzing around near my head. The guy behind me is breathing loudly. I look at my watch. Six minutes and the line hasn’t moved. What is taking so long? Its one guy placing a simple order right?
Even a clumsy ordering experience can’t keep a smile off my face.
And in a flash of a second, my mood changes from happy to annoyed. The guy behind the register took ten minutes to process four people’s orders. By the time I get to the counter I’m irritated. I frown at him and then give him my order.
JOSH I would like the Cuban sandwich please.
MAN Sorry, we don’t that today.
JOSH What about the Burger?
MAN Nope.
JOSH Okay, fine, give me the Tuna Burger.
MAN Sorry, not available.
JOSH We’ll do you have anything?
MAN We have this Italian sandwich by the slice?
JOSH Fine.
This is what I ended up with. Very delicious. Ask them to heat it up for you so the cheese melts.
So the cash register man gives me a receipt and I wander around for a few minutes not sure where to go. Someone directs me to the area to pick up my food and then to the cash register. The whole process was very annoying. I think they could’ve trained a little better on moving people through the restaurant.
Tomato Brie soup, their specialty and always on the menu.
I get to my table and the soup comes out. Tomato Brie soup which Maggie says they are famous for. I try it. Warm, creamy, delicous with a little kick of spicy at the end. Wonderful. My stomach is no longer cranky. I’m starting to feel a little better.
This is the salmon that Maggie ate.
Then the italian sandwich arrives. I take a bite. Excellent. Great flavors, fresh ingredients, and I’ve never had a sandwhich quite like it. I start to smile and that feeling of joy returns. The food is great.
More of the restaurant.
So Annie’s has great food. But the restaurant has kinks with regard to the order process that it needs to work out before I’ll return. I’m just going to chalk it up to today being a soft opening and not the real opening. They are actually only serving lunch now, dinner/late night/full bar come in the near future. I’m pretty sure that a week from now they will be running smooth as silk. This place is definitely going on my regular lunch stop list. You can choose off of four menus for items off the grill, pizzas, soups, sandwiches, paninis, burgers, and cold prepared food. Dessert is in a bakery case.
Annies Cafe and Bar 319 Congress Ave Austin, TX 78701 www.appleanniescatering.com
June 4th, 2009 at 9:37 am
I just read about this; the food and the space look like a great start. I hope they work out their process! I want that sandwich… mmm; craving crusty rustic bread…
Thanks for adding me to you blogroll; your site is looking really fantastic!
June 4th, 2009 at 3:30 pm
I’ve been three times now, and the food is fabulous! Just be patient as they work out their kinks. Like you, I waited for too long on Tuesday, but by today, it was smooth sailing and much quicker from start to finish. The salmon with peas/asparagus pictured above is heavenly. I ate that on Tuesday, and today I had the Farmer’s Market Salad with Salmon, again, heavenly. Go, give it a try. You will not be disappointed. But, if you want to make sure everything is perfect so that you are not the least bit annoyed, go on June 18. All systems go!
June 4th, 2009 at 3:34 pm
They are still working on their process, but they definately have the food down! The new space is a far cry from the basement cafe in the Chase building. Be patient and look forward to the opening on June 18th!
They should have all menu items available now. Check out the garden omelet – delicious!
Oh and check out this video of inspiration for the new place!
http://www.youtube.com/user/AnniesCafeBar
June 4th, 2009 at 3:50 pm
What a beautiful place. I arrived before the line became long, and everything went very smoothly for me. Imagine — a HOT, GREEN vegetable in downtown, what a concept! I’m sure it’ll move more and more smoothly in the coming weeks. Thanks for the great photos.
June 4th, 2009 at 10:21 pm
I walked in and I felt I was in NYC or New Orleans. It felt warm, welcoming but urban. Guess I missed the crowd, ordering was pretty smooth. I ordered the meatloaf, mashed potatoes and peas with a side of the best roasted beets in town. It was perfection at at reasonable price. My friend had a perfectly cooked sausage pizza…with sausage made in house! We shared a chocolate carmel tart with sea salt on top. Another winner. Yes, rough around the edges at the cash register and bar not yet finished, but I’ll be back for more…it’s just a soft opening after all. Downtown needed a place like this. I’m going back tomorrow.
June 8th, 2009 at 6:22 pm
they are getting the kinks worked out – I’ve eaten there 3 times already including breakfast last Saturday
the food has been fabulous each time
I can’t wait untill they start serving dinner and I can have a glass of wine at the Zinc Bar!
June 9th, 2009 at 12:08 pm
I thought the food was adequate, probably wouldn’t go there again. Its also owned by an Aggie, which sheds a lot of light on why the employees are so dense. I’d recommend staying away from this place.
June 9th, 2009 at 7:46 pm
The food there is absolutely fabulous! The portions are a great size, not too much, not to little. I have had no problem with any of the employees; and they are very helpful and gracious. I’m very glad someone opened a resturaunt like this in Austin! I hear the owner is an Aggie, so all state ags need to come by and try it out.
June 18th, 2009 at 4:05 pm
I went to the Grand Opening party last night and it was packed. Live Jazz, free wine and champagne and you could sample almost anything you wanted from the waiters passing around hors’dourves or the cold cases.
They had some cool drinks at the bar. The Blood and Sand drink was crazy good.
June 30th, 2009 at 10:10 am
I’m hearing rumours of a bartender / mixologist competition on Monday night – New Orleans style!