A Foodie Moves On

The Austin-American Statesman reports that Dale Rice is leaving the paper to teach journalism at Texas A&M. I had the pleasure of dining out with Mr. Rice one evening, at a restaurant where he was actually known by the owner, which was usually not the case. Like most restaurant reviewers, Mr. Rice continued the subterfuge of the secret review alive and well, with one or two exceptions including Asti Trattoria--one of my favorite places to entertain guests of the Blanton. In any case, that night we enjoyed all kinds of treats from the kitchen, only because we were dining with a person of such import. It was a fun night and glimpse into the life of a restaurant reviewer.

Eat and Eat in Madison

Last weekend in Madison was filled, as always, with wonderful eats and delicious treats.

On Saturday we went to the farmer's market, which encircles the capital. There were amazing piles of vegetables, jams and jellies, and piles of baked goods. I bought a jar of blueberry jam and another of spiced tomato. I thought the tomato might be delicious on a grilled cheese with some Gouda or other delicious melty cheese. After our long walk around the square, we has a delicious meal at Himal Chuli, sitting outside on the sidewalk and watching the people go by. I started with a delicious dal, one of the best I have ever eaten, and finished with a seitan cooked in a spicy, yogurt sauce.

Of course, the most exciting part of the visit food wise was a trip to Vom Fass, Dave's new store, which means "from the keg." Vom Fass sells oils, vinegars, liqueurs and wines. You can taste and taste and taste all the varieties: fig vinegar, aged balsamic, grappa, citrus oils, nut oils and on and on and on. I bought some hazelnut oil that is more flavorful and delicious that any I have ever tasted. Vom Fass is poised to take the country by storm, so look for one near you sometime soon.

Missing Austin and craving tacos, we had lunch at Tex Tubb's Taco Palace--which our hosts described as a "faux Austin taqueria." I had a mushroom taco and a fried avocado--both delicious--and washed down with sangria. Pretty real to me. But what do I know about tacos? I live in Indiana...

It was Wisconsin, so of course there was cheese....glorious cheese!

And a little chocolate from the wonderful, amazing Belgian chocolatier, Leonidas.

Mangez!

Foods I miss in Austin....

....would be far, far too long. I did a similar list when I left Wichita, but for Austin, it will have to be a top ten.

1. Breakfast tacos--yes, I am addicted and just this morning suggested to my little diner on the corner that they add them to the menu. Particularly, from Elsi's.
2. Protein 2000 from Veggie Heaven.
3. Hot dogs from Dog Almighty.
4. Central Market. Sigh. Do I need to say more?
5. Vietnamese food, particularly Sunflower by my house.
6. The pastry case at Mandola's, particulary the angenetti (cakey, lemon cookies.)
7. The Steeping Room--if you haven't been, then get yourself there.
8. Boxes of vegetables from my CSA.
9. Having friends over for dinner.
10. The giant Asian market up the street.

Mangez!

Blue Dahlia and Mandola's

Yesterday I met Molly for lunch at the relatively new Blue Dahlia Bistro on east 12th street. It was a lovely warm January day, so we dined al fresco on their beautiful patio. The menu is primarily sandwiches and salads, but presented in a truly elegant fashion with wonderful bread. They also serve breakfast, and I'll certainly be back to try that at some point.

I had a black bean salad which was studded with lovely pieces of avocado, mango and covered in a citrus and cumin scented dressing. Molly had a turkey sandwich topped with a chutney and presented open faced on a board. It was a delicious and relaxing lunch.

In the afternoon, I had a work appointment at Mandola's and treated myself to some of the sweets from their pastry case. They have some many to choose from, plus gelato, fresh cheeses and many other wonderful items in their grocery. I selected an agnetti cookie (which I almost always get) which are the little donut shaped ones in the middle of the case. They're covered in a lemony icing and are just the right texture: not too soft, not too hard. I also had a small sfogliatelle, which is a filled with a citrus-flavored ricotta with a shell of filo or some other think pasty. WON-derful.

Blue Dahlia Bistro
1115 E. 11th St.
Austin, TX 78702
512.542.9542

Mandola's
4700 W Guadalupe St # 12
Austin, TX 78751
512.419.9700

Woodland

Sunday, we joined up with April and Katie for brunch at Woodland. April promised a surprise, which turned out to be LESLIE! Fun, fun...

I'd never been to Woodland before, but it has a fun, funky feel and very good food. It's wasn't super-packed, so we didn't have to wait for a table or feel rushed about our meal. They basically have two breakfast choices, but in reality the choices are limitless. You can get Eggs Benedict with ham, spinach or salmon. There other choice is called 'the morning wood' and features two eggs any style (I had mine poached and they were perfect.) and four side choices from what seems like an endless list. I had tater tots, grits, homemade biscuit (the best biscuit I've ever had outside of my mother's kitchen, I might add.) and a fruit cup that was so much more. Every bite of fruit was perfect, even the cantaloupe. April and Leslie shared a 'mimosa for two,' which we decided was more like a mimosa for the table since it was a carafe of juice and a bottle of Cava. They also have pancakes, french toast and cinnamon rolls--which I intend to try on my next visit.

Woodland

1716 S Congress Ave
Austin, TX 78704
Phone: 512.441.6800

www.woodlandaustin.com

SoCo Treats

Saturday, Katie and I bummed around South Congress doing a little shopping, looking and eating. We popped into Cissi's Market which has all kinds of yummy treats, including some garish sugar cookies that are actually divine. They served them at the docent holiday party last week, and I would say they are possible the best I've ever had.

After walking up and down the street, we decided that a slice from Home Slice would hit the spot. I love Home Slice and I think it's some of the best pizza in town. (Queen of Pies!) I know I'm not alone with these thoughts or any sort of foodie prophet. My only complaint is that everyone KNOWS it's great pizza, so it's always super crowded. Oh well, worth the wait for cold beer and hot pizza. I had a slice of cheese and a slice of margherita.

On the way back to the car, we checked out Big Top Candy Shop, the new candy destination from folks who run Monkey See Monkey Do. What will you find at Big Top? Piles and piles of every kind of candy you could possible want. Piles. I resisted, but I'll be back. AND they have a soda fountain.

Mangez!

Primizie! Grazie!

Last week, I entertained some guests of the museum at Primizie, a new Italian eatery on east 11th street. Primizie has been running a successful catering company in the city for several years and I guess decided to try their hand at a storefront location.

The decor is modern and simple, but made very warm with the inclusion of wood and other natural materials in the mix. It's slightly cavernous, and while it wasn't busy the evening we were there, I can imagine that it would get rather loud if the space were full. They don't take reservations, but we didn't have any problems with our party of six on a Thursday night. They have a very relaxed 'sit anywhere' policy with the hostess, which always seems to add a little pressure to the diner, especially if you haven't been to the space before. Service was attentive and good for the most part, but our waiter didn't relay the specials (written on a chalkboard far too small for our table to read) until we had been seated for quite a while. They have an interesting wine list and a very full menu.

To start, I had the roasted vegetable salad which was deliciously dressed in a light, but flavorful mixture of oils, vinegars and herbs. It was far more than one person could eat, so I suggest sharing. I especially enjoyed the addition of cauliflower to the mix, and the eggplant was the perfect texture.

For my main course, I was torn between the gnocchi with chanterelles, sweet corn and brown butter sauce and the goat cheese and chive stuffed ravioli in an olive butter. Ultimately, I chose the ravioli and it was delicious. All of their pasta is house made, so the raviolis were large, loosely shaped with a toothy, fresh texture complementary to the filling. The bread they serve on the side is slightly strange, but garlicky with a little crunch of salt--kind of like thick, Italian tortillas.

I didn't stay for dessert, but the offerings were certainly tempting.

Primizie Osteria – Italian Café and Wine Bar
1000 E. 11th Street
Austin, TX 78702
512.236.0088

Tart. Yes, you. You're a tart. You can't deny it...

A few weeks back we went to a house cooling party at Molly and David's to celebrate their newly installed A/C--are very exciting moment! Molly sent us away with the delicious eggplant tart she had prepared and which we enjoyed for several days after. The recipe comes from Deborah Madison’s Vegetarian Cooking for Everyone, a classic cookbook that I don't own, but from which I've copied many recipes. You will love this tart, I promise!

Recipe: Roasted Eggplant Tart

Pastry:
1 cup + 2 Tbsp flour
1/4 tsp salt
1/2 cup butter, cut into small pieces
About 3 Tbsp cold water

Stir the flour and salt together in a bowl, then work in the butter with two knives, your fingers, or a mixer until it makes fine crumbs. Don’t let it become completely smooth, though. Stir in enough water to pull the dough together. Wrap in plastic wrap and let rest in the refrigerator for 15 minutes.

Filling:
1 pound eggplant, any variety
3 Roma or plum tomatoes
2 eggs
1 cup half-and-half
Salt and freshly milled pepper
1/8 tsp grated nutmeg
1 Tbsp finely chopped fresh basil
several basil sprigs for garnish (preferably opal basil)

Make the tart dough, then roll it out and line a 9-inch tart pan. Set in the freezer to harden.

Puncture the eggplant in several places, then roast on a sheet pan in a 375-degree oven until it’s completely soft and collapsed, 30-40 minutes. Broil or grill the tomatoes until lightly charred. When cool enough to handle, remove the eggplant skins and puree the flesh with the whole tomatoes. Beat the eggs in a bowl, then stir in the eggplant puree and cream. Season with 1/2 tsp salt, ad little pepper, the nutmeg, and the chopped basil.

Preheat the oven to 400 degrees. Remove the tart shell from the freezer, set it on a sheet pan, and bake until lightly colored, about 25 minutes. Remove. Lower the temperature to 375. Add the filling to the shell and bake until set and a knife comes out clean, 23-30 minutes. Let rest for 10 minutes, then remove the rim, set the tart on a platter, and serve, garnished with sprigs of opal basil.

Southern Heritage Cookie Jar Cookbook

I'm always on the lookout for cookbooks not represented in my collection and pick things up for different reasons. Sometimes, it's the illustrations that are too great to pass up. On other occasions, the author may be someone important or iconic, and I want the book even though I may never cook out of it. And of course, I actually do pick up cookbooks because I want to use the recipes. That's the case of the latest addition to my library, the Southern Heritage Cookie Jar Cookboo from the publishers of Southern Living which I got while thrift shopping in Owasso, OK.

Admittedly, most of the titles from Southern Living don't have an appeal to me because the recipes within veer too much in the direction of classic American convenience cooking. Occasionally I will find one that is rooted in traditional Southern food ways and worth making, but not often. But this fantastic cookie cookbook is filled with wonderful images that reflect Southern cookie culture in addition to great recipes. If you see it, I suggest you snap it up.

Lately there has been a lot of conversation about Lady Bird Johnson (born Claudia Alta Taylor), widow of the late President L.B. Johnson. Does she really live in a penthouse atop the LBJ Museum and Library? Is she really the person longest protected by the Secret Service? How is she feeling now that she is out of the hospital? Is her brownie recipe better than Katherine Hepburn's? You be the judge, because I'm publishing it here.

Recipe: Lady Bird's Texas Brownies
1/2 cup butter or margarine
1 cup sugar
2 eggs
2 (1-ounce) squares unsweetened chocolate, melted
3/4 cup all-purpose flour
1 tsp. vanilla extract
1/2 cup coarsely chopped pecans

Cream the butter in a big yellow bowl; gradually add sugar, beating well. Add eggs, one at a time, beating well with each addition. Add melted chocolate and beat until blended. Gradually add flour, stirring well. Stir in vanilla and pecans. Pour batter into a greased 8-inch square baking pan.

Bake at 350 degrees for 25 minutes. Cool brownies completely in pan. Cut into 2-inch squares. Yield: About 1 1/2 dozen.

Postscript: Actually, after looking at the recipes, the only differences are the amount of flour (less in Kate's), the type of nut used (Walnuts vs. pecans which I think was the argument that REALLY started the Civil War.), and the addition of salt in Kate's. I do think a taste test is in order!

Tiffwich?

If you are lucky enough to live or work in Central Austin and have someone who really, truly loves you then you have probably had a big box of warm cookies delivered by Tiff's Treats. These freshly backed cookies are delicious and come in all the classic flavors: chocolate chip, white chocolate chip and almond, butterscotch chip, peanut butter, M&M, sugar, oatmeal raisin and oatmeal chocolate chip. Every flavor is amazing and great with a glass of cold milk, just like when you were a kid.

BUT not on the on-line menu is a special treat too good to be true, the Tiffwich: a big slab of Blue Bell Ice Cream (the best ice cream in the country) sandwiched between the warm, Tiff's Treat cookies of your choice. Sound fantastic? It is. Warm and gooey, cool and creamy, the Tiffwich is THE treat for summer. Sadly, they can't deliver the Tiffwich so you have to stop by the store to get your ice cream sandwich made-to-order.

Special.

Just for you.

Because you've been good.

Mangez!

Veggie BBQ?

You betcha, ya'll. Just because I'm vegetarian doesn't mean I don't like BBQ. Of course, being vegetarian and eating BBQ don't really go hand in hand. You really have to work at it.



Bush's makes wonderful vegetarian bbq beans that often soothe the craving and I also make veggie sloppy Joe's with my mother's recipe, which is sort of BBQ. I love the beans with a side of potato salad and some sort of yummy, veggie protein.

Of course, when I really HAVE TO HAVE BBQ I just nuke a Gardenburger BBQ Riblet. I am always telling people about how good these are and they think I'm crazy. Shaped like the McRib of your youth, the GB riblet has a great sauce and a wonderful texture. I could eat them almost everyday. But, vegetarian BBQ fans in Austin, have I got news for you:



Jo's Hot Coffee (on South Congress and now with a groovy little cafe on the hyper-chic 2nd street that has a slightly expanded menu) serves a Vegetarian BBQ sandwich. The lightly sauced wheat roast (seitan) is served on a soft, square bun and topped with crunchy cole slaw. You can add a side of the house-made fries for $1. Next time, I'll ask for some extra sauce because I thought it could have used a little more liquid, but otherwise no complaints. The sandwich is large, tasty and will satisfy any craving for BBQ. (Friends had the grilled cheese which was also delicious and Jo's also serves two other veggie choices.) In addition, you can get a Frito pie topped with the wheat roast (I'll try this next time) for a sublime treat.



Mangez!

Somebody Say Pie?

If you want good pizza in Austin, it's not hard to find. I'm personally very partial to Mangia's Chicago-style stuffed crust. Usually, I choose wheat crust and get a spinach pie which has just a touch of nutmeg. Other times, it might be tomatoes with onion. Delicious and divine, a small will yield leftovers. I feel lucky too, because the one up north delivers to the house.

If I want to go out for pizza then I head to Home Slice Pizza, the queen of pies, on South Congress. HS serves up delicious slices, beer and tiramisu. Their waitstaff is great with lots of personality and I am always happy to sit at a big table with friends, fold up a slice and munch away.



This past week I purchased a nice-sized bucket of Italian-made buffalo mozzarella. Creamy and smooth, I made a caprese salad and was wondering what else I might use it in. Well, combined with the basil I'd bought to make the salad, a pizza seemed more than obvious so I stopped at Central Market and bought a pizza crust from the bakery for a whole TWO DOLLARS. I think it might be the cheapest thing in the store. Anyway, I topped the crust with tomato sauce, crushed red pepper and slices of the cheese and baked it for about 10 minutes. The crust came out perfect perfect, a thin crispy bottom with lightly textured top. Dinner was ready in no time and the CM crust is now my kitchen secret...but go ahead and use it.



Mangez!

To the Dogs!

One of my favorite places to eat in Austin, if not my favorite, is Dog Almighty. Saturday night we went with April, Paul and Jennie and it was a blast. DA serves up a variety of dogs, Frito pie, hand-dipped corndogs, excellent fries and fantastic onion rings. The plus side. They will do anything on the menu vegetarian. Anything. Hence the love.



I've tried just about everything but the Frito pie. I always say, "Next time I'll get that," but I usually end up staying with a hot dog. My choice: the Veggie Classic (award-winning veg chili, onions and mustard) on a wheat bun without cheese. Fries, onion rings and tater tots in rotation on the side. And don't forget the Orange Fanta!



Not only does Dog Almighty satisfy in a major way, but they also entertain. There are books for the kiddies, foosball and ping pong. Dessert? One dollar twist cones. One dollar twist cones. So nice I said it twice.

DA is located in the courtyard of the farmers market on Burnet and well worth the trip if you don't live close by. Plus, they do catering. They will bring one of the New York-style hot dog stands right to you and serve delicious, hot dogs to everyone around you.

There isn't a rating system here at bYb, but if there were rest assured Dog Almighty would get the highest score.

Mangez!

Disappointment

On Sunday, I've been going to the monster Whole Foods downtown to read the paper and have something eat. I enjoy it because there are a myriad of choices--almost too many. Some days I have a fruit smoothie and coffee and other days I choose a pastry form the case. Their donuts are strangely delicious: about an inch and a half thick with a texture somewhere between a cake donut and a convential glazed. Regardless, I always find something to suit my mood.

Today I decided to hit the breakfast taco stand, imagining what Whole Food, purveyor of all things fresh and amazing, might do with this wonderful and ubiquitous Austin breakfast staple. To begin, the taco maker was not exactly pleasant, but it was early on Sunday morning so who can really fault that? I ordered a potato, egg and cheese with some salsa and he quickly assembled my taco in a very determined method which involved wrapping the paper tightly around the taco and a sticker to keep it closed. I made my way to a table, opened the newspaper and unwrapped my taco.

First bite? Um, not the best tortilla in the world.

Second bite? Not even close to warm. Cold eggs and cold potatoes.

Third bite? Salty, salty potatoes that overpowered everything else.

Fourth bite? Tomato-heavy salsa without much kick or flavor. Pace would have been better.

End result: worst breakfast taco in Austin. Shame on you, Whole Foods. Shaaaame.

Mangez?

Elsi's for Breakfast

The search for wonderful breakfast tacos continues--I just can't get enough. I've sampled tacos here and there and there are a lot of good ones. But, my friend Angie turned me onto the veggie chorizo and egg breakfast tacos from the coffee shop just down the street from work. It turns out, they buy them from Elsi's, a Mexican/Salvadorian place, which is pretty close to the house.

Last month, I finally went and checked out the actual restaurant and am now completely addicted and there about every week. The veggie chorizo and egg are just spicy enough and served in a flour tortilla that is slightly crispy on the outside. In addition to the wonderful tacos, Elsi's also serves delicious pancakes that have a thin crust surrounding a light, fluffy interior. They also brew regular, cinnamon and Salvadorian coffee, which is supposed to be super strong. Best news: it's completely affordable.

6601 Burnet Road
Austin, TX 78756
512-454-0747
Mon-Sat 7AM-9PM
Sun 8AM-9PM



Mangez!

Soup in Every Pot

Austin is very much is food city and I read a while back that it is also one of the most entrepreneurial cities in the country as well. No surprise then, that it is home to the Soup Peddler, a brilliant idea whose time has certainly come. Perhaps you read about the SP in Food and Wine a couple of months ago? (If not, catch the link as there are recipes as well.) Or maybe you received his new autobiography-cum-cookbook The Soup Peddler's Slow and Difficult Soups as a holiday gift? (If not, you can get for about $10 at ecookbooks [I get no kickback] or they probably have it at the library and you can copy the recipes for free.) I had heard about the SP from friends and someone I know knows someone who delivers, but apparently not on a bike anymore. But I get ahead of myself. The SP is a person who started to deliver soup via his bicycle to people in his neighborhood called Soupies. You simple place your order the week before and fresh, delicious soup is brought right to your door. Kind of like pizza, but better for you. Anyway, I'm very lucky because not only do I live close to three wonderful grocery stores, but the SP delivers to my zip and last week I made my first order. What can I say? Everyone was right: it is some of the best soup ever. I had the Armenian Apricot, which is creamy and slightly sweet, but with a background of rich onions and garlic. The Minestrone is still in the fridge and will be dinner tonight. Looks like a spot-on version of the classic Italian soup. Don't live in the delivery area? Try the recipes at home, you won't be disappointed.

Mangez!

Food Food and Food

As predicted, Austin is a wonderful place to eat. And eat. And eat some more. I haven't been cooking much for myself, since I've been busy trying to get settled, but I have been exploring some of the great restaurants, grocery stores and eateries around town.



My friend Kris (aka Rakka) over at glitter pissing was excited to find the Flaming Hot Cheetos with LIMON when she moved to Seattle and told me that she had also had them in Austin. Visiting my local HEB, I found a gigantic display of them right inside the door. I wasn't steered wrong, let me tell you. These are Cheetos plus BAM and then coated in YUM.



Likewise, at a visit to the local Alamo Drafthouse, which is a theater where you can order a beer and dinner from your seat, I discovered Ace Pear Cider-brewed in Sonoma County. I had a pear cider in Washington state a couple of years ago, and since have found nothing that could compare. THIS cider was right on par and is perfect with Asian food or probably even a cheese course.

Dining out has been fun, because there are so many vegetarian options wherever I go. Just down the street is Mother's Cafe and Garden which I had mentioned being very excited about visiting. I can't seem to get over the excitement of being in a city with a plethora of vegetarian options--coming from a city of so few. What I love about Mother's so far? Chips and salsa for the table, bbq tofu sandwich and of course the wonderful veggie burger that Jennifer said is the best. All of it, so far, has been wonderful. My friend David was in town weekend before last and we had brunch there as well. The migas is wonderful, but David was disappointed that they had no jam, jelly or preserves for his toast. None?

Also close by is Asti, which is a tad expensive and very meat based. I ordered a dish of ziti, which had the option of adding sausage that I declined. I suppose I should have read the description more closely, because it comes with pancetta AND you also add sausage. Ick. But, they do have a nice array of antipasto and a wonderful wine list. I ordered a glass of prosecco to start, but it had just arrived so the waiter substituted a more expensive glass of French champagne instead. Grazi!

Other good meals at Veggie Heaven and Dog Almighty, which will do anything on the menu vegetarian, including Frito pie. Wonderful. Many (many, many) other places to explore.

Mangez!

I Said "Probably" My Last Post...

...but you should have know better.

Last week I made a trip to Austin to look for a place, which was very fun. My new apartment is in Hyde Park and there is a bus route that runs right into campus and to the front door of my new office. Perfect! Plus there are lots of restaurants right next to the house, including Mother's Cafe and Garden (which my new co-worker Jennifer says has the best veggie burger in the world) and Hyde Park Bar & Grill which supposedly sells battered fries. Decadent! There are also several coffee shops and various niceties that will make Austin an easy transition. I met Jennifer and Gabrielle (another of my new coworkers) at Dolce Vita for coffee, but they also have a case full of luscious looking gelato and another filled with pastries. Morning coffee on the way to work?

Also, while I was there I popped into Central Market to have a little peek at what is supposedly the best grocery store in the country. Friends had told me about this place, and I had read about it in magazines and guide books, but nothing prepared me for the reality of the monster that is Central Market. What I found:
At least a dozen different varieties of apples
FOUR kinds of fingerling potatoes
A great sauce bar with all sorts of treats
A cheese shop bigger than my house
Pastries, cakes and more
Olives? Why yes, an olive bar with over twenty varieties
Breakfast tacos in the cafe on CM's homemade tortillas
The chef's case where you can pick up food to go

It was amazing and I know everyone is SICK of hearing about it, but it is fantastic and I can't wait to shop there. I also popped into the Wheatsville Co-op, which was all bulk items and BO (as you would expect), but lots of great things in the deli, freezer and nut butter bar with about ten different types of nut butter. You'll be seeing me there as well!

Thursday night, my friend Katie's Austin pals April and Angie were kind enough to meet me for dinner. We went to Polvos for Tex-Mex and it was delicious! They have an awesome salsa bar and my veggie enchiladas were super-tasty. Only problem was that our waiter was grumpy, but we didn't let that bring us down. After, we popped into LoveJoy's Tap Room for a beer where their friend Josh caught up with us and then over to Casino where we sat upstairs in a room decorated in a cheap, hell motif. Fun! Austin is going to be great...

Mangez!

big YELLOW bowl on the move

Believe it or not, I'm relocating the 'corportate offices' to a city that loves food--Austin, TX. There is so much to eat there, I don't know where I'll start. I'm looking forward to shopping at Central Market (The grocery store of grocery stores. I was reading in a guide book that they stock 175 different olive oils. 175!); Whole Foods Market, which is based in Austin and features the largest store in the company; and Wheatfield Co-op. Plus tons and tons of great restaurants, bakeries, take-out....I'm going to get HUGE.

This will probably be the last post until I get settled in Austin.

Mangez!