Portabla's Perfect Lunch

As you sit at your office, at home, or anywhere in Austin you may be consumed with the question, what's for lunch? Hopefully, this may solve the battle of hunger for you. I stopped in at Portabla today for the firt time. I was lucky enough to win a $20 gift certificate from Dishola, so now was the time to use it. I looked at the Daily Specials and immediately knew what I wanted. I ordered them all. I got a cup of the Zuchinni Ginger Soup with Chicken, the Tuna Melt, and glass of Basil Lemonade. For a dreary day and haze of allergies, this was the absoulute best cure. The Tuna Melt was toasted and filled with pickles, veggies, cheese, and plenty of tuna. The soup was the ultimate comfort plus taste in one. There is no need for improvement at all with this one. Delicate yet a punch of satisfaction. To finish it off were sips of Basil Lemonade, which I was a little weary about. It blew my thirst away. Excellent for this rainy day, or completely perfect in the summer. Next time you need a quick bite, pick-up, or catering stop in to the friendly staff at Portabla. They'll make your day.

Portabla
Twitter: @Portabla

Brother's Birthday Bash

When it came time to celebrate my younger brother's birthday, we decided to celebrate with a feast at Truluck's. Yes, it does so happen that I've made my love for crab known, and that I've already talked about this seafood mecca. Think of it as bonus for your eyes and belly. Plus my dear friend Mike gave me a gift certificate, so it was icing on my brother's 22nd year old birthday cake. As honoray guest, he kicked off the celbracion by picking a bottle of red, and we chatted about life while nibbling on the sweet bread and butter. One of the best deals in town may be Truluck's Date Night menu. Every night, for $35 you and your "date" each choose a soup or salad, entree, and then split a dessert. Pretty dang good! I decided on the Wedge Salad, which I love there. It is piled high with blue cheese dressing and bacon. How can you go wrong. I then ordered the ultimate, my most favorite yet, the King Crab. I couldn't stop smiling. I couldn't stop eating. It was pure joy. The legs come cracked and ready to dip in warm garlic butter. Need I say more? H-E-A-V-E-N. My Mom decided on the Ceasar Salad which was served with real anchovies, and shaved Parmesan. She decided on the Stuffed Trout with Grits that happened to be delicious. My brother went with a bowl of Gumbo, which could clear out any sinus problems you have, and the Texas Striped Bass Pontchartrain. All courses were HUGE and absolutely fantastic. To conclue our "date" night menu, my Mom and I chose the Key Lime Pie. One of my favorite desserts of all time. It was ginormous and exquistily tart. Our incredible waitress brought our a chocolate roll cake with a candle for my brother. Although it may be pricey, it certainly is one of the best spots in town for excellent seafood. Grab a drink, or a full on feast whenever you or someone you love deserves the best.

Truluck's
Twitter: @Trulucks

The Carillon - Food Tasting

If you have not tasted Chef Josh Watkin's food, then get yourself over to The Carillon at the AT&T Hotel on the University of Texas Campus ASAP. Enormous talent has seemed to encompass this chef with his attention to detail, and deep flavors. Tuesday night offered an unexpected tingle to my taste buds with a food blogger event at the re-vamped Carillon. The restaurant has kept a low profile since its soft opening, but the redesigned menu is sure to ignite buzz all around as a must stop dining experience. It is evident that not only the food at the Carillon will be fantastic, but the staff as well. They work like a well oiled machine. As we walked in we were pleasantly greeted, and began our dive into tasting with a glass of Merlot. We nibbled on crispy chips, olives, and an assortment of nuts until we could get our hands on the main dishes. We started with a shot glass filled with White Bean Soup. The glass was topped with a thinly slice Smoked Scallop and Oven Dried Grape. The scallop was intense, and the soup tasty but a bit thick. It wasn't my favorite combo, but I still seemed to finish every bite. Next we admired the 24 hour Braised Beef Short Ribs. They were served with a fork almost as a tease that you could slice through them so easily. It was no tease, they were melt in your mouth soft deliciousness. The Ribs were accompanied by an Apricot Glaze, Asparagus, Celery Root Puree, and Black Pepper Gastrique. C'est magnifique! Definitely my favorite of all things served that night. As my friend Lydia and I continued our talks, we sampled the Crisp Pork Belly. The meat was tender, and the crispy outside was decadent. The Belly was served with a Diablo Glaze, Asian Pear Salad ,and Fried Mint (surprisingly good!). Next we grabbed the Eggplant Caprese with Tomato Relish. It was a perfect balance to the rich meats, but also stood on its own. Our last bite to munch was the Truffled Beef Tartare with a Parmesan Crisp. Can I say, it was everything Beef Tartare should be. If you are hesitant to try such a dish, make this your virgin unveiling. It was almost a mystery how Watkins got it right, but he did. The night couldn't have been better to get a mini view of things to come. The Carillon is a great way to see Campus, and a great way to taste one of the top talents in town. Be sure to take yourself or someone you'd like to treat, you will not leave unsatisfied.

The Carillon
Twitter: @ChefJoshWatkins

Blue Dahlia Bistro

The great thing about Austin is that it continues to revive itself. One of my favorite areas experiencing this is E. 11th street. It used to be The Longbranch that ruled the roost in the area, but now the street is adorned with murals, restaurants, and housing. One of the best hide-away places is Blue Dahlia. It's like stepping into a friend's cottage for something to eat. The small dining area inside has wooden tables and art on the walls. There is a front and back patio that is the place to be on a gorgeous day. The back patio happens to be my favorite. The shaded garden area let's you drift off into a peaceful state with ease. My best friend since childhood, Lauren, her Mom, and of course mine decided to grab lunch this past Sunday there. We sat on the back patio in the sun and discussed details of Lauren's upcoming wedding. We ordered the Roast Beef Tartine, the Chicken Salad Tartine, the Shrimp Tartine, and one of the daily Fritattas. The Tartines (open-faced sandwiches) happen to be one of my favorite things about the restaurant. They are served on long stone platters, and not only look heavenly but taste that way as well. After our great lunches, we decided to try out the flour less chocolate cake with raspberry sauce. It was a good decision. Not too heavy, and very chocolaty. The service can be hit or miss, but the food is always great. Try it for breakfast, happy hour, or dinner when you need a break from the busyness of your life!

Blue Dahlia Bistro

Mandola's Market

It was lunchtime on a Saturday and Italian was on the brain. Instead of heading in town, my Mom and I headed out towards Bee Caves to visit Mandola's Market. If you're looking for authentic market goods and cuisine, this is your place. They offer a grand selection of pastas, oils, wines, and more. Plus you can dine here for lunch, dinner, and dessert. I decided on Tortelloni and Mom got the Canellonni. We grabbed some herb oil, and were served bread. Buttery and fantastic. One our food arrived, you could tell immediately it was home-made. Two very rustic, large servings. We gobbled them up, and I chose a Balsamic Vinegar from the market. It was a wonderful small adventure for lunch. Be sure to check out Mandola's Market at the Triangle on Guadalupe in Austin, or venture to Mandola Estate Winery and the Trattori Lisina Restaurant in Driftwood. A taste of Tuscany in Texas!

Mandola's Market
Mandola Winery
Twitter: @Mandolas_Market

TRIO in The Four Seasons

I met my friend Lisa at TRIO in The Four Seasons for a Friday happy hour. Lisa recently moved to Austin from New York, and I knew this place was perfect for our next hang-out. I had never been, and let me say I was blown away. We arrived at 6:30pm and left at midnight. A marathon happy hour if you will. Technically happy hour ends at 8, but we made the most of it. She sipped martinis, while I enjoyed glasses of Malbec. The food was absolutely incredible, and I cannot say it enough you must go. We ordered the Pork Belly and Tuna Tartare. I am smiling thinking about it now. The Pork Belly was melt in your mouth amazing. It was cooked to perfection and the intoxicating flavors went through each bite. The Tuna Tartare was the best compliment to the rich Pork. It was cool, refreshing and delicious. The servings are quite ample for happy hour, and the perfect amount to balance our beverages. Our fantastic bartender brought us a couple of the restaurant's giant top-overs as we continued our talks and laughs. We finished the night with s'mores in the "backyard" near the water. It was such a great night. The price is also unbeatable, we both walked away for about $30 including tip. Head there for happy hour, or check out the regular dinner menu.

TRIO at The Four Seasons
Twitter: @FSAustin

Zocalo Cafe

I am fortunate to live in Clarksville, one of the most unique neighborhoods in Austin. Two of my favorite spots for a quick bite happen to be Galaxy Cafe and Zocalo Cafe. There was a time period that I ate at both so much that I would pull in to one to pick up my order, and realize I had ordered at the other restaurant. I stopped by the other night for one of my favorite dishes at Zocalo, the Stacked Chicken Enchiladas. The flavors are fresh, the heat perfect, and the plating fun. I had my Go Local card, so I got a complimentary glass of the Watermelon Agua Fresca to go along with my meal and vino. Delicious as always (even if they were temporarily out of rice). Stop by for all "four" meals of the day: breakfast, brunch, lunch, or dinner.

Zocalo Cafe

Torchy's Tacos

We are blessed in the city of Austin to have a plethora of taco places to choose from. One of my favorites happens to be Torchy's Tacos. I went for a quick dinner last night, and it hit the spot. I got the Crossroads (Smokes Brisket, grilled onions, jalapenos, jack cheese, avocado, cilantro, green sauce), while my Mom got Baja Shrimp (Hand battered shrimp, cooked cabbage slaw, pickled onions, jalapenos, queso fresco, cilantro, lime wedge, and creamy chipotle sauce). After typing this, I wish I were there again now. The flavor combinations and sauces seal the deal of slow cooked meat, or fried shrimp. The spices aren't overwhelming, it's quick, it's cheap, and it's good. Stop in at one of their 5 locations around town. Mmm mmm good.

Torchy's Tacos
Twitter: @TorchyTaco

Creek Road Cafe

If you're lucky enough to live in Austin, you're lucky enough to be miles away from the Hill Country. It's some of the most beautiful parts in the US (and no I'm not biased). One tiny town that falls in the rolling hills of Texas country is Dripping Springs. Although it doesn't have the touristy appeal of Fredericksburg, it does have a fantastic new restaurant called Creek Road Cafe. Chef and owner Chae Donahue has moved himself down from Washington State to provide fantastic food, quality, and service. We stopped in for lunch, but I immediately took a look at the dinner menu. It sounds impressive for a restaurant on the side of the highway. For lunch, we chose the Crabcake salad, HC Steak Salad, and French Silk Pie (one of my favorites). Fresh ingredients, exquisite talent, and good food will not disappoint. Our meal was perfect, and from what I can tell dinner would be as well. Be sure to stop in while you're driving to or from Austin. It's a not to miss spot. If you're in the mood for shopping, stop in at Cowgirls and Lace down the road for fantastic gifts and fabric.

Creek Road Cafe

Turn that Pineapple Upside Down

Growing up with a mother who can cook pretty much anything, and is a devout believer in making things from scratch, you make a visit when she mentions the words Homemade Pineapple Upside Down Cake. The idea was born from leftover pineapple she had in her fridge. She marinated the pineapple in melted butter and brown sugar for a day or so in a glass pan. The recipe came from an old Junior League Cookbook, and I was by her side with a tasting finger ready at all times. We creamed 4 egg yolks together with sugar, added 3 tablespoons of Amaretto (since we were out of pineapple juice), 1 cup of flour, 2 teaspoons of baking powder, and 1 teaspoon of vanilla. Next we beat the egg whites into the batter until there were stiff peaks. This was all poured over the awaiting pineapple and placed in the oven at 350 for about 30 min. We didn't invert onto a platter, because we were too eager to eat. It was so tasty. Light but flavorful, and perfect with a little crème fraiche. Enjoy if you feel like turning an ordinary upside down, just for kicks.

Whole Lotta Muffaletta

Well it seems New Orleans was once again on the mind this weekend, as well as being in South Austin. If you happen to drive down William Cannon and spot the strip mall by the towering Gold's Gym, you may miss the tightly placed Cypress Grill. Let me tell you, turn around, park your car, and open the doors to even more Cajun cuisine. This place has been here several years, and spits out tasty Cajun dishes every time. They have Abita, a full bar, and nightly music. My family and I go there almost every other time we get together, and my brother once worked there. This last visit, we had Muffalettas and salad. A quarter Muffaletta will fill up a lunch hunger like no other. The meat is greasy and good, and the olive tapenade is fantastic. The bread seals it all together with softness and crunch. Be sure to try their gumbo, it's some of the best in town. After a weekend of Cajun I may want to eat a ton of veggies, but I'll never regret a minute of it!

Cypress Grill

Jambalaya and a Crawfish Pie and File' Gumbo

For those who know South Austin, those who are willing to venture down there, and those who love N'awlins there's a hidden away restaurant you must go see. It's Evangeline Cafe, and it's like stepping into a shack of a place in the Big Easy with memorabilia, music, and Cajun ambiance galore. Usually, any place in a strip mall is not a first pick, but as soon as you walk into this place you'll feel anywhere but in the burbs of Austin. There's Abita, gumbo, etoufee, pistolette, and much more. There's music 6 nights a week (they're closed on Sundays) and the clientele is as different as night and day. We decided on Shrimp Etoufee and the stuffed Redfish. Pretty tasty, though I would add a little more kick to the Redfish. I rinsed all mine down with a cold Abita Root beer. Owner Curtis Clark is from Lake Charles so you know he knows what he's doing. As they say at the restaurant, "Old Austin didn't die, it just moved South". Head down Brodie Lane and check out this Cajun corner.

Evangeline Cafe

Cousins Cooking

Last night my wonderful and amazing cousin Paige came over for a much needed catch up, bottle of wine, and dinner. We munched on goodies and opened the wine immediately. As the talks of life and what's happening in it began, I started cooking. I made the "dish" a few nights before and thought, let's have it again. I rolled tiny meatballs from the Jimmy Dean sausage with Sage (yes, one package of it goes a long way) and cooked them in a bit of olive oil. I chopped up onions, garlic, carrots, red bell peppers, and mushrooms. After I flipped the meatballs, I threw everything is the pan to saute. After I was satisfied with their sauteing, I poured in some red wine, a dash of cayenne pepper, and capers. The other night I added oregano, but forgot it last night. I boiled some water, salted it, and threw in some whole wheat angel hair pasta. Once the pasta was ready, I mixed it with the goodness already cooked and topped with grated Parmesan cheese. My dear sweet cousin brought over lettuce and and a tomato for salad. I squeezed the juice from a lemon and whisked in olive oil for a quick dressing. A dash of salt and pepper, and we were on the way to dining destiny. We sat down in my living room, ate to our heart's content, drank and enjoyed the evening. It is always a pleasure to have someone so fantastic to share a meal with, hope you can try this one out with someone you love. Enjoy!

Veggie Delight

I don't claim to be a great cook, but I like dabbling in my tiny kitchen (no joke, a mouse would feel crammed). For dinner last night, I decided to make a stuffed red bell pepper. I've done this a million times, and wanted something healthy to the max. I pre-heated the oven to 400, sauteed celery, onions, garlic, carrots, and mushrooms (stems and all) with a dash of salt & pepper. I cut the top off the red bell pepper, and drizzled with olive oil and salt inside and out. I stuffed the veggie heaven into the red bell pepper, and popped it into the over for 15 min. The smell of garlic and onions made my tiny home fill with the timeless aroma of goodness. I got out my bowl and filled the bottom with black beans, a perfect compliment to the veggie delight. I topped it off with a glass of Pinot Grigio, and dove in. Fantastic as always. I added a bit of sour cream to pull it all together. Great, easy, healthy way to get your veggie on. Fills you up more than you'd think!

A Quickie

I woke up the other morning and thought to myself, self, what sounds good today? I looked in my fridge and decided to whip up one of the easiest things I could think of. This is a perfect any day, any time bite. I scrambled two eggs, cooked up some Jimmy Dean sausage with Sage (yes, it's quite tasty), rinsed some spinach, added a dollop of sour cream, and a dash of salt & pepper. It was the perfect way to start the day. There is a chance that I made the same little scrumptious ensemble after a night at the bar, but that's neither here nor there. Need a little more kick? Add some salsa or Tabasco to liven things up a bit more. Hope this makes your morning/late-night even more enjoyable.

Beer, good...Bread, good

I happened to have a Beer Bread mix in my pantry that I decided to whip up last night. I also happened to have beer in my fridge. 1+1=2. As the box stated, "The food you love, the time you deserve", it was simple. Put beer bread mix in a bowl, pour one beer of your choice in the mix and stir for 20-30 seconds. I had Pacifico in the fridge, but anything would do. I waited 55 min, and out came golden brown bread. I spread it with a bit of butter and honey. Sweet little perfection. I'm hoping to get some sandwhiches and/or French toast out of the loaves. Next time I'll try from scratch, but for now it was a great Monday night treat.

Willkommen

Well it's only been a few months and another trip to Fredericksburg made it on to my calendar. This past weekend, my Mom (yes we spend a lot of time together), our friends Anna & Martha , and I headed to Fredericksburg for the day. Anna had a beautiful baby girl about 2 months ago, so a girls day away was much needed! Our first stop was not the Brewery as in past months, but one of our favorite German restaurants, Altdorf's. We've been coming here since I was a little one. We even braved the chilly weather and sat in the Biergarten. We ordered a bottle of Pinot Grigio, and got to thinking about food. My Mom's all time favorite is the Red Baron, basically a Reuben. I decided on Jager Schnitzel which is their breaded pork cutlet with brown mushroom gravy. Martha and I split since the thing is HUGE. A soup or salad and three sides come with the dish! We chose Red Cabbage, Sauerkraut, and the Sweet and Sour Potatoes. It was as tasty as I remember, perfectly cooked and filling. After much laughter and eating, we decided on a little Buttermilk pie to finish it all off. Though it was more custard-like than sugary softness of traditional Buttermilk pies, we still ate it (wouldn't recommend if it's your first time to try Buttermilk pie). The rest of the day was filled with shopping and wandering. We got to see the 26 foot German Pyramid which was built in Mainz, Germany and sent to Fredericksburg. It was so impressive! Traditional (smaller) pyramids twirl round and round from candle heat spinning the propeller on top. A wonderful sight! It was the perfect afternoon.

Altdorf Biergarten

Brunch!

To start the new year off right, my Mom and I headed to the Driskill for a much needed relaxing meal. She happened to have a gift certificate to 1886 Cafe and Bakery, which made it all the more sweet of a trip. We arrived just in time to catch the tail end of brunch, and my eyes went directly to Eggs Benedict. This happens to be a favorite, so my order was placed. We chatted in the packed dining room, and were able to catch up with Tony Sansalone, the Executive Pastry Chef. Tony used to own Sansalone's Bakery on 12th street, but moved back into the Hotel business a few years ago. He is an expert cake maker, and now produces lovely desserts for the hotel. When our meals arrived (yes we both ordered Eggs Benedict) we were thrilled. I more thrilled probably b/c it was the perfect dish to work off the celebrations of New Year's Eve. The eggs were perfectly poached, the Canadian bacon salty, and the Hollandaise sauce just the amount of zing I needed. Though the potatoes were a bit mediocre, they did a great job of soaking up excess sauce. It would be fantastic if the $12 dish had a complimentary Mimosa, but for great Hollandaise sauce, it will do. Be sure to check out the beautiful hotel when you're up for a great bite.

The Drikill Hotel
Twitter: @DriskillHotel

Happy New Year!

To say good-bye to 2009, my Mom and I decided to treat ourselves to a prix fixe menu for New Year's Eve. I checked around to see what we would enjoy most. Luckily I stumbled upon Asti's NYE menu, and immediately made reservations. For $55 per person we would be able to enjoy 3 delictable courses. The option for 5 courses at $80 per person was available, but we wanted to be able to walk out of the restaurant, not roll. My friends Laura and Sam joined us for the meal, and we started the night of with a complimentary glass of Prosecco served with goat cheese and truffle topped toast. Melt in your mouth good, especially with a little bubbly. I must warn you, I refrained from snapping numerous pics, so not to blind our fellow patrons. We each decided on our courses, and enjoyed great conversation and a wonderful (silver and black ballon filled) atmosphere. Below were our course selections, a link with the entire menu is towards the end.

1st Course
White Asparagus Soup Parmesan & White Truffle Crema

Foie Gras Mousse Bruschetta Mission Fig Mostarda & Micro Arugula

Red & Yellow Beet Carpaccio Fennel, Black Olives & Orange Vinaigrette Ricotta Bruschetta

2nd Course
Seared Scallops with Yukon Gold Potato Puree Caramelized Wild Mushrooms, Leeks & Crispy Sage

Grilled Rack of Lamb Fregola, Escarole & Tomato Calabrese Currant & Pine Nut Salsa

Beef Tenderloin & Short Rib Saffron Risotto Milanese with Barbaresco Orange Gremolata

3rd Course
Chocolate Truffle Tart Vanilla Balsamic Gelato & Brandied Cherries

Poached Pear stuffed with Candied Cranberries Prosecco & Pear Sorbetto & Gingersnap Streusel


Entire Menu
http://www.astiaustin.com/asti/event/

Let me tell you, each dish was fantastic! The soup was creamy and perfectly balanced, the Beet Carpaccio was a surprising favorite, and the Foie Gras though rich was like butter. Our entrees were enjoyed by all. I must say my lamb was incredible. Such flavor and perfectly cooked. Dessert sealed the deal. The chocoalte truffle amazed us all, and my poached pair offered a refreshing end to a decadent meal. If you have not ventured to Asti on a regular day of the year, let me urge you to get there and dive into deliciousness. We finshed the first part of the night off with a Ginger Vodka Champagne Cocktail Laura and Sam whipped up. It was rumored to be the drink to have for a hang-over free morning (worked pretty well!). The champagne with a kick was fabulous. A perfect start to the rest of the night's celebrations. Laura made a simple syrup with ginger, sugar, and water, then added the Vodka after it cooled. We poured the syrup in glasses of champagne and added candied ginger to make it shine. Here's hoping your New Year is filled with much happiness, health, and fantastic food. Salute!

Asti
Twitter: @ASTI_Trattoria