I just got back from lunch there and checked DejaNews and saw that no one has given a full review of this place yet. (Though my search was admittedly rather cursory.) I am so excited! I never get to contribute to this newsgroup. Anyway, I highly recommend this place. It's on Manor Road four blocks east of I-35, and has (to start with) great atmosphere. We ate outside on the patio -- this is lunchtime on July 30, mind you! -- and what with the breeze and the shade trees and the trellis patio cover, we were pretty comfortable. I had the Calabash Callaloo (sp?) with chicken, from the regular menu; Jim had a jerk pork sandwich from the express lunch menu. The regular menu is probably going to be preferable, generally. Mine consisted of sauteed spinach, garlic, onions, tomatoes, and red peppers with grilled chicken, some curry sauce, and a side of rice. It wasn't spicy but was very flavorful and tasty. Jim's sandwich was fairly spicy, but comes with standard, run-of-the-mill curly fries, and we both agreed that my selection was a lot better. Since it's a workday, of course, I can't drink during lunch. But if I had, I would have had a Mango-rita. I'd have had to observe, unfortunately, that although they are very tasty (or so I'd imagine), they are pretty weak. I didn't have two, and if I had, I would hardly have felt them at all. I've heard a lot about Calabash's selection of tasty tropical drinks, and there looked to be a good selection of them on the menu (not that I was looking; see above). The Mango-rita is the only one that I would consider reasonably priced, though, at $3.75 -- the others run about $6, about a dollar less at happy hour prices. I'll have to go for dinner sometime & see if they're worth it. I'd consider the prices pretty reasonable -- our lunch (for two) came to about $32, counting four drinks. When we go for dinner, I want to try their sampler platter -- the menu says it's plenty for two, with selections of various different menu items, for $23. The food is good and the atmosphere is really, really pleasant. I did read someone's mention that the service can sometimes be a little "laid-back," but ours was efficient and friendly. This is great. I feel like such a contributing member of society now. Elizabeth
Austin, TX