Second Helpings: Gourmet Takeout

"Second Helpings" offers tasty, bite-sized restaurant listings compiled from new and previous reviews, guides, and poll results. This week's entries were updated by Erin Mosow. For quick, reliable info about Austin eateries, check here.

Cipollina

1213 West Lynn, 477-5211 Monday-Wednesday, 7am-9pm; Thursday-Saturday, 7am-10pm; Sunday, 7am-8pm
Impress your friends at your next dinner party with a meal from Cipollina. Offering roasted chicken, osso buco, and other meats prepared by the same masterminds who operate the Jeffrey's kitchen, the cuisine at Cipollina is first-rate. This gourmet takeout eatery offers daily specials and prepares wood-fired pizzas, pasta salads, risotto, and a changing assortment of fresh, Italian-inspired vegetables. Daily from 3:30 to 5:30pm and all day Sunday is pizza happy hour, so take it home or dine there with a glass of Chianti or a tall beer in the stylish cafe located at 12th and West Lynn.

Food! Food!

2727 Exposition, 474-8515 Monday-Friday, 10:30am-8pm; Saturday, 10:30am-5pm
With more than 20 varieties of sandwiches to choose from, lunch at this friendly neighborhood deli will always turn up something new and interesting. If sandwiches don't turn you on, then partake of their numerous salads, empanadas, freshly baked desserts, and daily dinner specials. Also featured on the changing menu are such items as King Ranch casserole, chicken pot pie, trendy pasta salads, and polenta with roasted vegetables. Dine in at the cafe or take home one of the dinner specials, complete with main course, side dish, and dessert.

Fresh Plus Deli

1221 West Lynn, 477-3945 Monday-Saturday, 8am-9pm; Sunday, 9am-8pm
Fans of Fresh Plus' delicious chicken salads, pecan-pesto farfale, and mouth-watering potato salads can rest easy that the mother of all gourmet takeout places in Austin is alive and well, albeit in a smaller, hidden location inside the Fresh Plus market on West Lynn. In addition to the old favorites, the deli serves up several varieties of presmoked meats. Do-it-yourselfers can take home uncooked stuffed and breaded chicken breasts, crab cakes, or marinated meats for that homemade effect.

Grape Vine Market

7938 Great Northern, 323-5900 Monday-Saturday, 10am-9pm
Next time you pop into the Grape Vine Market to buy that favorite Gigondas, sidle over to the food case and pick up some delectable snacks to accompany it. Grape Vine Market offers gourmet provisions such as cheese, pté, crackers, cured meats, and fish. A pleasant lounging area and comfortable outdoor tables make this an inviting place to stop for lunch, or a quick hassle-free dinner on the way home from work.

Portabla

1200 W. Sixth, 481-TOGO (8646) Monday-Saturday, 10am-8pm
All of the sandwiches at this gourmet takeout eatery exhibit the stamp of craftsmanship from the inside out. Such wholesome ingredients such as eggplant, freshly cut corn, carrots, crisp lettuce, or homemade pesto find their way into home-baked focaccias, ciabattas, or whole-wheat rolls. Owned by the people who operate Sweetish Hill Bakery, this second establishment offers many of the same sweet treats you can find at the bakery. However, this little cafe also prepares pizzas, pasta salads, roasted meats, ptés, and vegetables to be eaten there or taken home. Different specials are offered daily, so be sure to call ahead if you have something in mind.

Sasha's Russian Market

5523 Balcones Dr., 459-1449 Monday-Wednesday, 11am-7pm; Thursday-Saturday, 11am-8pm; Sunday, 11am-5pm
Operated by Sasha Lifschitz, this Russian grocery and deli offers a selection of blintzes, fresh-smoked and marinated fish, caviar, top-quality meats and cheeses, Russian-style canned goods, pickled and marinated vegetables, Russian breads, Pelmeni, Blinchiki, desserts, and candy. Their menu has expanded this year and the daily lunch special ensures a surprise treat for every visit.

Tom's Tabooley

2928 Guadalupe, 479-7337 Tuesday-Thursday, 7am-7pm; Friday, 7am-3pm; Saturday, 11am-6pm
You've been buying the stuff now for years in grocery stores around town. Now you can go straight to the source at Tom's store on Guadalupe. The sign outside advertises falafel, hummus, salads, and imported candies. Inside, the kitchen also offers tabouleh, dolmas, baklava, gourmet coffee, and lots of surprising tidbits to make a regal Mediterranean feast. While you're there, pick up some fruity olive oil, freshly made falafel mix, or brined grape leaves to cook with at home.