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

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