By Ginny, on May 17th, 2012%  I recently ventured to Henri’s Cheese and Wine for a little Italian Wine education. Surprisingly, it was my first official visit to the South Lamar shop, but it certainly won’t be the last. Henri’s Cheese and Wine is South Austin’s newest eatery and specialty grocery featuring both lunch and dinner alongside a large selection of retail cheese, wine, and more. Daily dining selections include gourmet sandwiches, small plates, and salads. Gourmet lunch spot by day and wine and beer lounge by night, needless to say, Henri’s is a very welcome addition to the neighborhood.  Henri's Cheese and Wine To be fair, any place specializing in cheese and wine is primed to be an instant classic in my book, but there is much to love about the neighborhood spot. On this particular evening, I joined a few fellow wine lovers for a tasting event with Italian wine expert Pier Mana. Continue reading Henri’s Cheese and Wine
By Ginny, on March 29th, 2012%  Set one of Austin’s oldest homes, passing time at Cenoté Café is as inviting as visiting a friend’s. East Austin’s newest coffeehouse and café may have only opened its doors on March 25, but chances are you visited or at least spotted it during this month’s SXSW. During the fest one corporate sponsor set up base camp in the shop complete with an electric lime green paint job and daily parties. Amazingly, the shop only needed a week to recover post-SXSW, which, let’s be honest, is less than most Austinites. Cenote Cafe The renovated historic home was built . . . → Read More: Cenoté Café By Ginny, on March 19th, 2012% As detailed in a piece contributed to the Austinist, Olive & June is officially open in Central Austin. Shawn Cirkiel, chef/owner of the much-lauded Parkside and Backspace restaurants, announced he was expanding his operations last fall after purchasing the exquisite former home of the now closed El Arbol. Named for grandmothers on each he and his wife sides of the family, Cirkiel drew inspiration from his roots in creating Olive & June’s concept. In developing the restaurant, Cirkiel tapped into memories of family-style Italian dinners from childhood and culinary expeditions abroad. These inspirations combined with Chef Cirkiel’s rustic and refined style of cooking manifest beautifully at Olive & June. A visit during the restaurant’s soft opening showcased dishes that were comforting and homey yet unexpected and sophisticated. Since only one dining room was open during this initial visit, I didn’t tour the space in its entirety. However, it appears the core beauty of the space is still intact with a few adjustments to reflect the Italian theme. Additionally, Olive & June addressed its predecessor’s issue of an overreliance on outdoor space by adding in more coverage and shade outdoors and focusing indoor seating towards large windows to capitalize on the outer splendor. Olive & June’s menu consists of “piccoli piatti” small plates, antipasti, handmade pastas, and grilled meats and fish entrées. Price points begin around $5 for small plates to $15-low $20s for pastas and entrées. 
Our meal began with a few orders of small plates. Arriving first was a Cobia Crudo and White Bean and Prosciutto Grissini. The cobia paired with grapefruit and a mint chili puree was excellent. The simple, clean, crisp cobia against the bright fruit and mint started dinner on a high note. The creamy, rich white bean dip was addictively delicious. While beautifully presented, a Tuna Crudo was slightly fishy and needed just a splash of acid. The Suppli infused with saffron, however, was perfection. A crisp fried crust encased creamy risotto layered in flavor from the earthy saffron against the sweet mozzarella. 
An order of pork meatball antipasto followed the small plates. The meatballs were moist, tender, and good enough to make any Italian grandmother proud. The savory meatballs were paired with a sweet fig mortada and tomato sauce which was rustic, creative, and a highlight of the evening. Continue reading Olive & June
By Ginny, on February 16th, 2012%  Nestled in a previously overlooked enclave just west of I-35 on 6th Street, the new Easy Tiger is arguably the most exciting addition to downtown in quite some time. Part bake shop and part beer garden, Easy Tiger is the ambitious new project from the 24 Diner team. As a bake shop and café, Easy Tiger features artisan breads baked fresh daily, house cured meats, and menu items such as sandwiches and cheese plates. To quench Austin’s thirst for a beer garden, Easy Tiger serves over 30 local and boutique beers alongside a full bar and limited wine selection. Located in a formerly overlooked stretch of downtown, Easy Tiger’s large space underwent quite a transition prior to opening. It is easy to underestimate the new spot stepping off the street into the upstairs bake and coffee shop. However, take a walk downstairs to discover a beer lover’s paradise. Offset to the right is a long, dark bar showcasing a laundry list of beer options overlooking the busy kitchen. Step around the dividing wall to find a large open room with ample first come, first serve seating. The exposed brick walls, thick wooden tables, and well conceived masculine touches leave little reminder of previous tenants. The inside area is a perfect spot to unwind with friends, but the spectacular outside area is an oasis in the heart of downtown. Easy Tiger capitalizes on the natural beauty of Waller Creek with an outdoor space filled with long tables, a ping pong table, and a large outside bar. Despite plenty of picnic tables, finding a seat on a pretty day is virtually impossible after five, and for good reason; Easy Tiger’s outdoor beer garden is a virtual oasis in the heart of dirty sixth. It is impossible not to become hooked on Easy Tiger after one initial visit. Friendly service matches the relaxed communal vibe. There are more than enough interesting beer options to appease any preference, including a few sour beer options to win over non beer drinkers. The food menu contains a simple variety of beer friendly choices, all well-priced and under $10. The housemade sausages are filled with flavor and delicious alone or paired with accompaniments like mustard, sauerkraut, and fresh breads. Soft chewy pretzels perfect for dipping in Easy Tiger’s beer cheese, which has a bold pimento cheese-like flavor. Along with the beer cheese, there are several other options for cheese lovers, including an Antonelli’s plate. Easy Tiger’s selection of boutique and local beers means a large variety of interesting finds and new types to sample. However, a small forewarning: be prepared to pay premium prices for these premium brews. Think more along the lines of $8 pints instead of $2 PBR’s and Coors Lights. Go the budget friendly route and stop in for a quick beer, pretzel, and amazing ambiance or throw caution to the wind and stay all night; either way Easy Tiger is worth the trip. As stated best in the new spot’s motto, Easy Tiger is the ideal place to slow down and stay awhile. And, since it is open daily from 7am – 2am, there is plenty of time to do just that.  Easy Tiger Beer Garden Easy Tiger Bake Shop and Beer Garden. 709 East 6th Street, Austin, Texas 78701. 512.614.4972. Website & Facebook Continue reading Easy Tiger Bake Shop + Beer Garden
By Ginny, on January 23rd, 2012% 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 Continue reading Second Bar + Kitchen
By Ginny, on January 13th, 2012% Saturdays are now significantly more delicious as Papi Tino’s has added an extra day of brunch. Nurse yourself back to feeling like a weekend warrior with $2 tacos and $5 drink specials from 11am- 4pm this Saturday, January 14. Naturally, Papi Tino’s doesn’t just serve an old plain Jane taco combination. Choose from options such as Fish Pastor, Pollo Pibil, Alambre con Queso, and Papas con Chorizo. As noted here, Papi Tino’s is one of the best new additions to Austin’s dining scene from its well executed dishes to its charming atmosphere. Enchiladas topped with sauces such as verde . . . → Read More: Saturday Brunch @ Papi Tino’s By Ginny, on January 11th, 2012% A recent trip to JMueller’s BBQ on South First proved the long anticipated return of John Mueller to Austin’s BBQ scene was well worth the wait. With my visiting Texan-turned-New Yorker younger brother Jerry in tow, I was given a tall order to provide him with a last taste of real Texas BBQ before he returned to the Big Apple. I took a small gamble on JMueller’s, having never been, but packed lines and solid word of mouth assured me it was a lock. Mueller’s approach to barbecue is classic and straightforward. His brisket, for example, is seasoned . . . → Read More: JMueller’s BBQ By Ginny, on January 3rd, 2012% A new year has officially begun, which means one thing: resolutions. Today’s Dish of the Day is a perfect solution to abiding by all those promises to eat healthy, save money, and so on. As mentioned here, Taco Tuesdays at Quality Seafood are a college student’s dream, but after rediscovering this steal of a deal, my stomach and bank account gladly can’t get enough. As part of their weekly specials menu, Quality Seafood serves $2 seafood tacos alongside $2 domestic beers every Tuesday night from 6-9pm. Each taco comes with a choice of shrimp, mahi-mahi, or catfish served grilled, . . . → Read More: Dish/Deal of the Day: Taco Tuesday @ Quality Seafood | | 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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