Austinist: Austin Bites: Olivia

Benj

Wed, 15 Oct 2008 18:27:15 -0600

Are you some kind of Indian chef?

Benj

Wed, 15 Oct 2008 18:26:02 -0600

I don't understand why you would ask that.

angryrobot

Wed, 15 Oct 2008 14:06:04 -0600

Benji, Are you a developer?

Benj

Wed, 15 Oct 2008 13:03:06 -0600

Uh, yeah. I agree. It's useful in identifying people, places and things that are 'cosmopolitan.' Much like other adjectives.

KarinKross

Wed, 15 Oct 2008 05:57:42 -0600

@Benj: It's sort of unfortunate that, like "elite", the word "cosmopolitan" seems to be in the process of acquiring bit of a stink. They're both very useful words. @Benj's computer user: I think there are some Indian cooks who might beg to differ. @Mason: I should have realized that about Greenling; thanks!

Benj

Wed, 15 Oct 2008 03:03:54 -0600

I'm not "Benj", I'm just using is 'puter: ... There's no such thing as non-vegan "intelligent food."

Benj

Tue, 14 Oct 2008 23:42:46 -0600

AYC, I think the magnet for this sentiment is phrases like "increasingly cosmopolitan." In certain circles (like the comments sections on the Austinist) it has become synonymous with hollowed-out generic terms easily associated with the LA/SF/NYC urban youth stereotypes. It's not that Austin was never supposed to grow, it's that one of the things we're always patting ourselves on the back about is the ability to see through the pretension of wanting to be cosmopolitan for it's own sake. And while I'd certainly rather be cosmopolitan than nationalist or xenophobic, why can't it just be a side effect, and not an end in itself?

masonarnold

Tue, 14 Oct 2008 21:42:22 -0600

And don't forget they get some of their local goodness from Austin's own Greenling.com. Mason Arnold

allenychen

Tue, 14 Oct 2008 12:04:30 -0600

@pleasethingofusoldfolks: what relevance does that have with the review? there's nothing particularly "LA" about this restaurant, at least from what I can tell from Karin's review (I haven't eaten there myself, yet... the wait is too long!). If anything, the focus on sourcing locally-grown/organic ingredients has definite roots in the SF Bay Area -- Chez Panisse, mentioned above, is in (north) Berkeley, which actually isn't all that unlike Austin itself.

pleasethingofusoldfolks

Tue, 14 Oct 2008 11:16:31 -0600

I hate LA