Second Bar + Kitchen

Second Bar + Kitchen ‘s well priced and diverse menu and casual trendy atmosphere make it an ideal spot for a group dinner downtown. With visiting friends in town and a birthday to celebrate it was the perfect Saturday night dinner spot. We started with an order of chicken fried olives and a cheese board along with a round of Moscow Mules. The olives were salty, unusual, and begged to be eaten while sipping a martini. Second’s cheese board features a lovely rustic presentation of five different cheeses served with housemade crostini. While it’s no secret there is nothing I fancy more than a cheese plate, I would advise sampling some of Second’s other small plate offerings because it is there the menu really shines, as showcased in our second round of appetizers.

Chicken Fried Green Olives - $6

Arriving next were blue crab and corn fritters and veal meatballs. The fritters’ spicy glaze and decadent filling were tasty, but almost overlooked when unfairly served next to the amazing veal meatballs. The delicate meatballs were moist, tender, and full of earthy Italian flavors. A warm marinara sauce topping brought out a subtle fennel flavor to create a little bite of heaven. A last round of appetizers included goat cheese and ricotta fondue and a few bowls of Second’s famous pepperoni soup, which were both delicious as always.

Veal Meatballs - $8

Entrée selections included a few orders of pizza, pressed pork shoulder, steak, and gnocchi. The short rib pizza, mentioned here, proved a winner once more. The pressed pork shoulder over polenta was an ideal winter comfort food dish. Less successful was the flank steak. Though well cooked and still good, promise of fresno chilis and a chimichurri sauce fell short and in the end, it lacked that extra bit of something wonderful to make it memorable. The gnocchi dumplings were light but a little mushy in texture. However, the tomato and olive sauce and touch of breadcrumb crunch made it a new favorite. The brussels sprouts served with mint and feta were outstanding. Dessert was something chocolaty and sinful for the birthday boy, but regretfully, a Second Bar + Kitchen food coma precluded much more than a taste.

Our server, while accommodating, seemed less than enthused our table was placed in his section before we even sat down. Hurried throughout dinner, we were asked to order entrees before ordering cocktails. When our group wanted to order another round of appetizers or dish recommendations, he was visibly annoyed. Everyone has an off night and waiting on a large group can be frustrating, especially when a restaurant wants to move a table quickly on a busy Saturday night. Overall, dinner was still a pleasurable experience, and one slightly off night certainly won’t keep me from enjoying another round of those veal meatballs.

Second Bar + Kitchen. 200 Congress Avenue, Austin, Texas 78701. http://congressaustin.com/second/taste/

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