Second Helpings
Gourmet takeout
Fri., July 30, 2004
Cipollina
1213 West Lynn, 477-5211 Monday-Wednesday, 7am-9pm; Thursday-Friday, 7am-9:30pm; Saturday, 8am-9:30pm; Sunday, 8am-9pm
Offering roasted chicken, osso buco, and other meats prepared by the same masterminds who operate the Jeffrey's kitchen, Cipollina serves first-rate cuisine. This gourmet takeout eatery has 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
Food! Food!
2727 Exposition #112, 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.
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, paté, 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.
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 as eggplant, freshly cut corn, carrots, crisp lettuce, and homemade pesto find their way into home-baked focaccias, ciabattas, and whole-wheat rolls. The cafe prepares pizzas, pasta salads, roasted meats, patés, and vegetables to be eaten there or taken home.
Sasha's Russian Market
5523 Balcones, 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 daily lunch specials and ensures a surprise treat for every visit.
Tom's Tabooley
2928 Guadalupe, 479-7337 Tuesday-Thursday, 7am-5:30pm; 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 tabbouleh, dolmas, baklava, gourmet coffee, and lots of surprising tidbits to make a regal Mediterranean feast.
Tuscany Market & Vineyard
12221 Riata Trace, 249-1500 Monday-Thursday, 6:30am-10pm; Friday, 6:30am-11pm; Saturday, 8am-11pm; Sunday, 8am-9pm
The delights of Tuscany Market & Vineyard aren't reserved for the residents of Riata. This all-in-one grocery, meat market, deli, kitchen, and wine bar with gourmet meals to go has options for those with time to cook and those who need meals on the run. Those dining in can have salads and other deli foods made to order or pick up a rack of lamb to roast at home. Their selecion of pizzas, fresh baked goods, sandwiches and salads, desserts, cheeses, coffee bar, specialty beer choices, and more than 30 bottles of wine on tap make it unnecessary to ever dine anywhere else.
