Elizabeth Street Cafe

After a couple visits to Elizabeth Street Café, the newly opened restaurant has left a promising first impression, as examined in a recent morning visit. Since opening in late December, the French Vietnamese restaurant has seemingly been faced with the happy predicament of instant popularity as it is mostly bustling daily morning, noon, and night. While taking advantage of a work holiday, I visited post morning rush to enjoy a rare indulgent, leisurely full service breakfast. During a previous lunch rush visit service seemed a little green, but overall friendly and accommodating. Despite visiting at the tail end of Monday breakfast service, each moment still felt fresh and energized.
Because no Monday morning, holiday or not, should begin without ample caffeine, first order of business was an Americano and a house specialty Vietnamese coffee. The Americano, made from Portland’s famed Stumptown espresso, was gone in seconds. The Vietnamese coffee served with strong pressed coffee was a tad sugary from the sweet condensed milk on bottom. The breakfast menu features a variety of French baked goods and Vietnamese dishes similar to lunch and dinner options recrafted for morning. Breakfast orders included a bahn mi and ham and gruyere croissant.

Breakfast Bahn Mi - $7

The breakfast bahn mi featured egg whites, sautéed shitaki and oyster mushrooms, and a spicy fresno chili mayo served on baguette. Best efforts to slowly savor this dish failed miserably as it was too delicious to put down. The baguette was exactly as it should be; soft enough to easily bite through but with a nice outer crunch. The bold and fiery pepper flavor was well balanced by the savory mushrooms, fluffy eggs, and crisp herb topping. The ham and gruyere croissant was an excellent ode to the Parisian staple. The croissant was buttery and flaky. Encased inside was a generous quantity of warm melted cheese and thinly sliced ham. Brunch was capped off with another Americano and an order of the daily macaroons. While I generally don’t make a habit of dessert for breakfast, exceptions must be made for Elizabeth Street’s light and airy macaroons filled with just the right amount of tangy fruit sweetness inside.

I left beyond satisfied with my choice in breakfast venues, aided in no small part by Elizabeth Street Café’s décor. Little evidence is left of the building’s decrepit appearance not so long ago. What was a gloomy, dark interior is now colorful and bright. The room is flooded with natural light from the big open windows. The walls are adorned with flowery wallpaper and tasteful art. The mismatched tables, chairs, and serveware are homey and quaint. It is a lighthearted, relaxing space with just the right amount of kitsch.

Read my comments on the price points and more in a contributed Austinist piece here.

Elizabeth Street Café. 1503 South 1^st, Austin, TX 78704. Breakfast, lunch, and dinner served daily from 7am – late Monday through Friday and 8am – late Saturday through Sunday.  http://elizabethstreetcafe.com/