Progress is another funky east side coffee joint.  One of the things I like most about this place was the venue - its is in a warehouse.  It also supports local vendors where possible - another favorite trait of mine.  The coffee was good but didn't sweep me off my feet like some of the other venues around town.  They also had a decent size food menu that I didn't get to try while I was there but I would be interested in going back and checking it out.  I would rate this an outstan

I first noticed this coffee shop on my way home from yoga.  The sign looked so cute I had to go in and check it out.  Upon walking in I was pleasantly surprised to see that they serve Cuvee coffee - a delicious locally roasted brand that I highly recommend.  

I decided to order a quick iced coffee since I had to run to the farmers market before it closed.  While waiting for my coffee I was drooling over several beautiful plates of food that kept coming out of the kitchen. I decided then that I had to come back the next day for breakfast with my husband.  

My iced coffee was strong by not bitter and acidic like you frequently get at other places.   I finished it before I got to the farmers market and couldn't wait to go back to get another the next day. I did a little research that night and found out that the building they are in was built in the 1800's and they use local fresh ingredients where possible on their menu.  

When I returned the next day I got another great cup of coffee and ordered the breakfast burrito, the peppered bacon inside was delicious and the crunch of the tortilla from it being grilled on a panini press added a nice consistency to it.  They had several breakfast and lunch options that all looked good, several light fresh salads or sandwiches, as well as some heavier breakfast options.  This location also has lots outdoor seating if you like to bring your dogs in tow like me, they even had water bowls set outside for our 4-legged friends. I would definitely like to go back and try some of the other menu options, and get another coffee of course!  I rate this phenomenal. 

I am originally from the east cost, and I think anyone else in town who is also from there would agree their isn't much in the way of good Italian food in Austin.  Since I moved here about 9 years ago the amount of decent Italian has increased dramatically, one of the places I do enjoy is Asti.

Once a year Asti does a 1 weekend Lobsterfest where they fly in Lobster fresh from Maine and cook various delicious Italian lobster dishes.  I missed this event last year so when I got the email this year I jumped on it.  

The menu was a 3 course dinner for 2 for about $100.  

The dinner started with a caprese salad for each person.  This dish is something I will never get tired of but I must say their tomatoes were delicious and I believe they make their mozzarella in house.   

Then for the main course you can get corn risotto with lobster or spaghetti fra diavolo with lobster (fra diavolo is just a spice red sauce).  We each ordered one so we could share. My favorite was the corn risotto the sweetness of the corn and creaminess of the risotto paired well with the lobster.  It also had some other yummy fresh veggie in it like zucchini one of my favorites. The other pasta dish was my husbands favorite.  They put a light sprinkle of breadcrumbs at the top that gave it a nice crunch to the bite but I found the spice was over powering the lobster a little and I would have preferred something with a little less kick. 

For desert they had watermelon granita, which is basically fancy Italian ice, perfect for the Texas summer heat.  The desert layered watermelon, shaved watermelon flavored ice, creme fraiche, and specs of mint.  Which all paired nicely together into a cool and refreshing desert. 

I hope to visit lobsterfest again next year and would recommend it to you all if you like Italian and lobster - it gets a phenomenal in my book!

http://www.astiaustin.com/ 

All of my comments on restaurants are based on my personal tastes and preferences, but I have decided to set a rating scale the restaurant review section of this website and it goes as follows from low to high:

I would rather go hungry - Food is a rather huge part of my entire life. For me to rather not eat anything then eat at this establishment says something.  
Fine -This comes from my husband asking me questions about what I think of a dish in front of the person who made it.  If I don't care much for it, but deem it edible, and he asks what I think I will say "it's fine."
Outstanding - My mother has a tendency to exaggerate things, to the point where I think almost every time I have had dinner with her in the past 5 years each meal has had some element that has been "outstanding," because of this I feel most people should translate this rating to mean average.
Phenomenal - This is another mamma original, this is the term she uses when something is better then outstanding.  I know what you are thinking -  What could be higher then outstanding?  Well phenomenal is that, at least in my family. Translation - above average.
Life Changing - This is the term I use for the best in class, it might not be the best in the world, but in my opinion it has the best of something in Austin.