By Ginny, on March 27th, 2012% As mentioned here, Austin Restaurant Week is in full swing. Taking place March 25-28 and April 1-4, some of the city’s very best restaurants will feature specialty priced prix-fixed menus for lunch, brunch, and dinner. Dinners run from $26-$36 while lunch and brunch run from $11-$16. Austin Restaurant Week With over to choose from, how will one ever decide? I recommend booking your ARW meals using the following criteria: Go to that place that’s been on the list to try for ages! Uchi and Uchiko both are ARW featured spots. Been wanting to try out one of Austin’s newer . . . → Read More: Austin Restaurant Week: Where to Eat? By Ginny, on January 9th, 2012% Since opening in 2006, local favorite hamburger slinger P. Terry’s has served to reinvent the fast food model by proving quick and cheap doesn’t have to mean sacrificing quality. P. Terry’s burgers don’t rely on tricked out toppings and fancy ingredients to be special. Their straightforward, simple burgers are made from 100% natural Angus beef, delivered daily produce, and tried and true toppings like French’s mustard. While their burgers are delicious, P. Terry’s exceptional veggie burger is the best in Austin. Most of the time, veggie burgers don’t always get the same TLC as hamburgers. Treated more as an . . . → Read More: Dish of the Day: Veggie Burger @ P. Terry’s By Ginny, on December 9th, 2011% A recent revisit to Foreign and Domestic only further demonstrated what a delightfully exceptional restaurant it is. After falling head over heels initially, subsequent visits to Foreign and Domestic have routinely and consistently left me hungry for more, but this particular visit may have been the best yet. Playful yet refined, each dish displayed significant technique and quality, but also restraint.
No better example of this was found in the meal’s high note, which was a deconstructed version of the perfect steak dinner. Avant-garde in design and nostalgic in taste, this dish took flavors reminiscent of a traditional pot roast and retooled them using molecular gastronomy to create a final product that was both comforting and surprising. The steak itself was cooked impeccably, seared outside and medium rare inside. Although the flap cut of meat used generally lends itself to be on the tougher side, it was remarkably tender as it had been sous vide in advance of a final sear. Had Chef Ned Elliot stopped after plating the steak on top of creamy potatoes and carrots, it would have been a solid winter dish. However, served alongside a tangy, sweet tomato jam and spicy horseradish foam, it was simply outstanding. Continue Reading [expand title=Here]
Prior to the aforementioned waygu entrée landing on our table, dinner began with a pear cobbler aperitif and an Austin Beerworks Pearl-Snap Pils. The aperitif featured a blend of prosecco and caramelized pear which tasted as its name implied without being overly sweet. It was an imaginative twist on a seasonal cocktail. I make mention of the beer mostly because of its $4 price tag, which is unusually reasonable for a fine dining restaurant these days. Similarly, Foreign and Domestic’s wine list boast an array of food friendly, interesting wines at extremely reasonable price points. Out of ten bottles, seven are priced $40 and under, including a delicious Granacha enjoyed during this meal.
After drinks we started with a roasted pepper and mozzarella (usually burrata) served with burnt brioche toast. The peppers were combined with fruit in a chutney to accompany the creamy cheese. Generally burnt anything does little to elevate a meal, but in this case the burnt flavor helped to cut some of the brioche and chutney’s sweetness and bring out the smoky pepper flavor.
Next was the night’s special appetizer, smoked red fish over a chestnut cream sauce and topped with fennel, frisee, and pickled red onions. This immensely flavorful dish tasted like a reinvented version of lox and cream cheese in the most wonderful way. As a South Texas native, fresh red fish was ingrained in my diet from an early age. Although I have eaten red fish every which way many times over, this version was not only unexpected, it was unexpectedly exciting as well.
For entrée, I chose a three cheese and soft egg ravioli topped with arugula and crispy garlic which was rustic and simple. The lemony spinach and crispy garlic added a nice depth of flavor to the ricotta layered pasta sheets. The generously portioned pasta dish was slightly too similar in texture between cheese, soft egg, and pasta, but not so much that my fork every really got a moment’s rest.
Despite best efforts, the dessert shelf was too full for another bite, which only means a return visit is required in the near future as pastry chef Jodi Elliot’s desserts are hard to beat. Foreign and Domestic is also known to have a killer brunch which needs investigating as well.
There is much to love about Foreign and Domestic beyond the excellent food. Service, especially our top-notch waitress, is laidback, engaging, and accommodating. The gussied up diner style interior complete with an open kitchen creates a neighborhood, casual vibe, something furthered by reasonable price points. While Foreign and Domestic has garnered a reputation as a nose to tail or offal haven, there are several options for the most skiddish of diners on the menu. Overall, Foreign and Domestic is high-quality and unpretentious fine dining that just keeps on getting better. [/expand] Foreign and Domestic. 306 E.53rd St., Austin, TX 78751.512.459.1010. http://fndaustin.com/new/  Braised Waygu Beef - $26 **Please excuse the iPhone pics…forgot the camera!  Smoked Red Fish Appetizer - $10 Continue reading Foreign and Domestic
By Ginny, on December 8th, 2011% REMINDER: Leave a comment a/b where you want to eat to enter to a win $20 AMEX gift card! Winner drawn 12/9/2011! (Sponsored Post) Austinites, listen up! There is a new rewards program called iDine I am excited to share with you. iDine is a great way to earn money without even thinking twice. The process is simple: enroll in the program, visit a participating restaurant, and earn up to 15% back on your bill. With over 100 participating restaurants in the Austin area alone, there are plenty of places to start building reward points in no time at . . . → Read More: REMINDER: Deal of the Day + Giveaway! iDine: Dining With Benefits By Ginny, on October 4th, 2011% Red’s Porch, mentioned here, is an ideal NFL Sunday spot for both the sports fan and casual observer. Unlike certain wings, beer, and, well, boobs chains, Red’s offers a perfect happy medium for a number of reasons. First, the upper deck overlooks Austin’s beautiful greenbelt. When enjoying these 70 degree temperatures on said deck it is easy for the girls at the table to forget all eyes are glued to one of 5 TVs. Secondly, with Red’s immense square footage there are more than enough areas where fans can spread out and watch games without squishing through neighboring tables en route to the restroom. Third, Red’s features a beer list a yard long, with plenty of local Austin and Texas beers to choose from. Most importantly, of course, the food is first-rate. A diversified menu featuring Tex-Mex, Cajun and Southern classics can accommodate any number of cravings. I recommend one of Red’s burgers as they are outstanding. Sunday’s brunch menu offers a hearty shrimp and grits entrée, pictured below. The thick serving of grits was a perfect consistency and made a nice base for the shrimp and etouffee. A bit heavy on grits and sauce, I would have loved a few more shrimp. I did have a few random mac and cheese in my dish, but it was so good enough to not really care. The Southern sides are also menu highlights. It is a sports bar where the food refreshingly doesn’t feel like an afterthought, even if the distraction of the big game means you are. Red’s Porch. 3508 South Lamar, Austin, TX. 78704. 512.440.7337. http://redsporch.com/  Shrimp and grits - $9.95  One of my favorite Texas beers, and not just for the name! Continue reading Red’s Porch
By Ginny, on September 20th, 2011% Tuesday, September 20, Hopdoddy on South Congress is donating 100% of today’s proceeds to those affected by the Central Texas Wildfires. As if anyone really needs another reason to visit Austin’s best gourmet burger joint! I highly recommend the Magic Shroom or Ahi Tuna burger. Houndstooth Coffee is also lending a hand. Through Tuesday, all proceeds from iced coffee and tea drinks will go directly towards helping the Central Texas Wildfires. On Sunday, September 25th, Barley Swine + Odd Duck Farm to Table are hosting a foodie event from 12:00PM to 4:00PM to raise funds. There will be drinks, . . . → Read More: Foodie Happenings: Eating for a Cause! By Ginny, on September 7th, 2011% After stumbling upon Papi Tino’s, it was love at first sight. Diners visiting the restored east side home turned restaurant are greeted with a serene open lawn speckled with pink flower adorned tables under a canopy of trees. Even on the hottest of days it is hard not to be completely enamored with Papi Tino’s quaint, romantic outdoor setting. We took a walk up the staircase leading inside, past two musicians providing the perfect brunch soundtrack, and were greeted by a friendly host who delivered the bad news that the indoor seating was reserved for a private party. After being assured of ample misters and plenty of cold drink offerings, outside it was. Remarkably, the heat was never an issue throughout the entire meal, despite the 107 degree temperature, thanks in part to the aforementioned misters, drinks, and refreshing menu options. We were greeted by our waiter, who apparently is vying with Chris for Austin’s waiter of the year. He gave us a rundown of the restaurant and menu, taking time to acknowledge Papi Tino’s partnership with local food source Johnson’s Backyard Farm. Continue Reading about Papi Tino’s [expand title=Here] As we were easing into the day, we started with daily selections of agua frescas. While we order our first round sans alcohol, Papi Tino’s offers the option to incorporate a variety of different liquors or sparkling wines with the refreshing juices. The watermelon version was refreshing with the right amount of sweetness balanced off with a hint of chili lime salt. My tablemate’s hibiscus fruit was different, in a very good way, but I was partial to the watermelon as a standalone juice. The hibiscus was so flavorful, but with such a powerful essence, it would have benefited from an addition of tequila or mezacal to make what would have been heaven in a cocktail. After we finished our revitalizing drinks, it was time for a bit more which meant mimosas. Papi Tino’s makes their mimosas with fresh squeezed orange juice, which was outstanding, but since I developed a quick addiction to my agua fresca I chose to mix my champagne with that. Despite the small, well edited menu of Mexican favorites, when it came time to order our brunch selections both of us were overwhelmed with too many toothsome options to choose. Thankfully, our wonderful waiter was able to steer us through the menu. To say he was knowledgeable about the menu would be an understatement; he detailed to us what was best to order relative to morning kitchen happenings, gave ample breakdowns of menu items, and answered our questions in a meaningful, thoughtful way. While our waiter was great, his efficient service was seemingly common among every member of the Papi Tino’s team. There was an overlying cohesiveness about the restaurant staff; looking around, it appeared every person there was not just picking up a paycheck, but having fun. This is in no small part due to owner Alan who was omnipresent during brunch service, enjoying the music, greeting customers, and sharing laughter with his staff. Our waiter was not this knowledgeable about the food he was serving by accident. This is the product of Chef Lalo and Alan because they have taken the time to invite the faces of Papi Tino to be a part of the kitchen they are representing, and this egalitarianism translates very well to the customer.
And the food, as it happens, translates very well to the customer as well. We started with an order of guacamole and freshly made tortilla chips. The hand hacked guacamole was just the way I like it; simple flavors and made to order. Instead of chips, Papi Tino’s supplies fresh fruit as its Mexican amusebouse, and may I say this is a very welcome custom when it is sweltering outside! My ceviche was almost too beautifully presented to eat. Thankfully, I got over the presentation because it was exactly as ceviche should be. The brightly flavored, abundantly portioned of pescado was my idea of ideal ceviche. Since opening, Papi Tino’s enchiladas have been getting rave reviews, and the chicken enchilada suizas did not disappoint. The green sauce tasted as if it had been made to order, and the chicken was tasty and tender. I sampled a neighboring friend’s cold beef salad, and I was shocked by how much I loved it. Normally it would not be something my eye would be drawn to, but it was light and unexpected. A must order on the next trip. I am not a dessert person at dinnertime, and certainly not at brunch, but the fruit starter left us craving more, so strawberries and cream for a final treat it was. Paired with our mimosas, it was the perfect finish to a perfect meal. Papi Tino’s may be a neophyte in terms of how long it has been open, but it certainly is no novice from an operational standpoint. Good food combined with outstanding service give Papi Tino’s the right chemistry and momentum. Furthered by a whimsical, charming, and relaxing atmosphere make Papi Tino’s a quintessential Austin restaurant, and perhaps my new favorite brunch spot in town. Right now Papi Tino’s is cash only, but this will change soon. There is an ATM in back as well. As far as prices, expect to pay a bit more than the typical Tex-Mex weekend lunch, but it is worth it! [/expand] Or With the Pictures Below! Papi Tino’s. 1306 East 6th Street, Austin, Texas 78702. 512.479.1306. http://www.papitinos.com/  Live brunch music
By Ginny, on August 30th, 2011% When deciding where to kill time before a friend’s birthday party Friday night, I tried to find the best compromise between my growing hunger pains and my two guy friends who were more focused on Coronas than cheese plates. As I quickly realized my go to wine and appetizer happy hour spots were going to be shot down, Star Bar proved to be a perfect happy medium since I remembered The Peached Tortilla trailer happens to be parked out back most Fridays. The Peached Tortilla, which I first wrote about here, is a mobile fusion food truck featuring Asian/Southern styled sliders and tacos. The Peached Tortilla recently has gained national buzz, helped in part by participating in events like this month’s San Francisco Street Food Fest. After sampling a few bites on Friday evening, it is evident there is certainly substance behind all the hype. Read the Full Peached Tortilla Rundown [expand title=Here] While the tacos were tasty, the sliders were outstanding. The tender brisket topped with a slightly spicy, sweet peach BBQ sauce was seriously addicting. The Banh Mi slider featuring braised pork belly, pickled diakon and carrot salad topped with a spicy sriracha mayo sauce was a close second to the brisket. The savory pork belly was melt in the mouth tender, not too fatty, and well balanced. The sriracha mayo was fiery against the subtle pork belly, and certainly not for those with a mild pallet. While it was still very good, I would pick the two meat sliders over the crab cake next go around. It was just a little rich with the sweet bun and mayo sauce, but it was devoured in minutes nonetheless. For the tacos we ordered the catfish and pad Thai, with the catfish taking the trophy for those two. It was lightly fried outside and flaky white inside. I loved that both tacos did not skimp on filling just like the sliders, making each piece a bang for the buck. Lastly, the pimento cheese fries were a must order. Such a clever use of the classic Southern cheese dip, and worth every calorie! Dinner at The Peached Tortilla proved it is not the type of trailer you eat at because it is at the bar; rather, you drink at the bar because it has The Peached Tortilla. [/expand]  The Brisket Slider (left) - $3.00 The Peached Tortilla has two trucks, one mobile and one permanent. The permanent truck is parked at 2503 Guadalupe (when school is in session). The mobile truck’s daily location can be found via Twitter @PeachedTortilla or on the website; it is also available to cater events, office lunches, etc. Contact 512.222.8781 for details. Continue reading The Peached Tortilla
| | AboutGinny’s Austin is one girl's take on everything happening around Austin, focusing primarily food, music, and events around town.  |
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