by Emily H. on This is the old El Gringo, which I used to consider one of the best places in town. El Gringo was sort of like Ranch 616 in the sense that they served meat and seafood in a unique and formal way that could only tangentially be considered Mexican. Now it's The Red House. I recommend that you go here for the half-price pizza from 5:00-7:00, which you can even get on Saturday night. Stay away from the Mexican Martini--it's overpriced and small and hot because it doesn't come with the ice martini shaker that I'd considered a staple for that truly Austin drink. I went here for an Enspire Learning work event and the 8 of us sat inside and enjoyed the oddball Southwestern decor and the yummy appetizers. So, it's a good place for large groups because the restaurant is pretty big inside, on the covered porch, in the bar area, and outside under the beautiful magnolia tree.
by Jamie C. on My friend says Circle... I think hmm. Korean guys are cute, so what the hell. Really, I knew that this could only end in tragedy, but I'm willing to try anything once. So, I meet my friend and a bunch of her college buddies at Circle. We get there before the rest of the group, and while waiting watched at least 10 groups 15 guys deep (with tables of course) line up like super horny sardines to get into the club. Already red flags were up (sausage fest here we come). After the rest of our party arrives, 12 girls deep, we figure with all the testosterone that they have in there, there was no way that they were going to give a group of 12 girls any trouble. NOT! As another reviewer noted, beware of the late 20s Korean girl running the door and beware if anyone in your group is not Korean. With a group of korean and chinese girls, me and a white girl, they turned away the entire group of girls claiming that there was a "private party". Meanwhile, the mile long line of boys keeps rolling in and other girls get in. I resist assuming the worst about the people running this place, but there is only one conclusion to be made. Turning away 12 girls from a sausage fest..... are you f**ing kidding me. I am into any scene where I can hear some good music and have a good time with my friends. But, this scene is not into me apparently. Anyway, me, the white friend, and our mutual friend left and ended up having a great night. The rest of the group ended up getting in. I hope they had fun. I am sorry that you are racist, Circle, maybe you should look into counseling like Imus and Kramer.
by Johnny Minges on I went to this place for the first time the other night for a Gutter Twins show. It was my friend David's birthday and he and his girlfriend Erin had driven up from San Diego and I had driven down from San Francisco that day, so of course we had to relax and drink about a million St. Germain cocktails before we went. What I'm trying to say is that I don't remember every detail about the place, but I do remember thinking it had a really beautiful lobby, getting in was super fast, and it was big enough to hold a nice, healthy crowd. We posted ourselves on the righthand balcony which is frankly better than standing in the crowd, inevitably behind some man-mountain with huge hair. Great view of the stage, just close enough for David to wee himself a little when Greg Dulli came out. Parking is outrageous ($20) so you might as well cab it. And if the show ends early (according to all the morose Dulli fans who seemed hurt he and Mark Lanegan didn't do an encore) go to the Burgundy Room (which I'll review next). It's nearby and surprisingly low-key.
