Week In Reviews

The Statesman's Matthew Odam rates upscale West Campus barbecue joint Freedmen's a 7 out of 10, as it "still finds itself looking up at the smoking bastions of barbecue greatness in Austin." He likes thoughtful sides (the beets are a "campfire kiss"), the cocktails—they're "sultry," "bold" and "fluffy"—and the brisket, which moves from "lean and tame to flavorful, wild and out-of-control," but not the "overplayed pork" or the "unforgivable" smoky chocolate mousse dessert. [Statesman]