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 28th, 2012%  Today’s Dish of the Day represents one of those wonderfully unforgettable food moments, courtesy of Barley Swine. A March small plate offering, this unexpected dish, featuring a chicken fried egg, sweetbreads, hay grits, whole grain mustard sauce, and ash sauce, was a perfect representation of Chef/Owner Bryce Gilmore’s style of cooking. The plate arrived with an egg encased in a crispy fried shell served on a bed of sauces and grits. The savory ash sauce and the tangy whole grain mustard were ingeniously paired with the sweet, tender grits and sweetbreads. Once split open, the egg oozed a creamy . . . → Read More: Dish of the Day: Barley Swine By Ginny, on February 2nd, 2012% 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 Continue reading Elizabeth Street Cafe
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 December 29th, 2011% Happy One Year Anniversary to Barley Swine! Although Austin bid a fond farewell to the Odd Duck Farm to Trailer that started it all, there is much for Bryce Gilmore and crew to celebrate. From serving an almost nightly full house to Owner/Chef Bryce Gilmore being named a 2011 Best New Chefs in America by Food & Wine Magazine, it has been quite a year for the South Lamar eatery. An initial visit to Barley Swine in its infancy was almost pitch perfect, and subsequent visits throughout the year only reconfirmed this first impression. The long awaited opportunity to sit kitchen side on visit in early December allowed seeing firsthand the precision and technique each dish takes to compose as well as how well run Barley Swine is from top to bottom. An evening at Barley Swine is not just a dinner out, but an experience. Despite nightly waitlists and small waiting areas, the hyper-organized front of house is always relaxed and hospitable, making small talk and setting a welcoming tone for the evening. Once seated, one is immediately greeted by a friendly server who is as excited about Barley Swine’s food as diners are to try it. Armed with recommendations and explanations, it is clear the kitchen takes time to educate the full staff on the night’s dishes and beer and wine list. Service at Barley Swine is always exceptional, in part because everyone seems to truly enjoy being a member of Chef Gilmore’s team. As for the food, well, any attempt to describe will fall short, but here’s to striving for an A for effort. If in need of a New Year’s Resolution, add trying Barley Swine to the list and experience it firsthand. A perfect example of the type of dish which defines Barley Swine was Waygu beef over banana grits dish sampled in early fall. Gilmore takes a familiar Southern comfort dish like steak and grits and recomposes it using unusual flavor profiles or elements. The results are an entirely inventive and surprising dish that somehow feels like home. His cooking is creative and pushes the limits, but also restrained and unsuspectingly familiar. It’s foodie food without being overly intimidating to more reserved palates. From trailer to brick and mortar, Barley Swine epitomizes the new direction of Austin’s dining scene. With its welcome blend of unique and outstanding dishes in a casual, comfortable atmosphere, Barley Swine will surely be celebrating many more anniversaries to come. For a variety of reasons, it seems follow up visits didn’t receive a Ginny’s Austin shout out, but I will now take an opportunity to sum up a year’s worth of amazing Barley Swine experiences. Please forgive the less than beautiful photos. Between Barley Swine’s lighting and my dinner companions’ lack of patience, you will see one reason for my post hesitations. (Others include ‘what could I really say that publications like Food & Wine hadn’t already said better?’ and ‘this ever changing menu is hard to keep up with!’) Click the picture for a full Barley Swine Slideshow… 
Curried Scallops at Barley Swine Continue reading Barley Swine
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 26th, 2011% Along the bohemian South 1st Street filled with sack and grabs, car washes, head shops, and record and book stores, there are a few not so subtle changes taking place. Until now, most food options have been confined to coffee shops, trailers and Mexican restaurants (last count there were about 18 taco options in an 8 block radius). However, in a few short months an on slot of new additions will be changing the face of the sleepy little South 1st Street I call home. Construction crews are making head way on Larry Maguire and Tommy Morman’s previously announced French Vietnamese spot, Elizabeth. The duo behind Lambert’s and Perla’s know a thing or two about incorporating a neighborhood’s personality into their build outs, and I suspect Elizabeth will do the same. A late fall opening is projected. 
John Mueller is officially set to open JMueller BBQ on South 1st. The man who taught Aaron Franklin everything he knows is following in his protégé’s footsteps by opening a trailer first. It was said to open on September 26th, but as of Sunday, no trailer was on site, but plans to open are imminent. Ground hasn’t broken on a brick and mortar quite yet, but Mueller has stated it’s in the works. 
Continue reading Foodie Happenings: South 1st Street Edition
By Ginny, on August 11th, 2011% After hearing about Aviary, the home décor slash wine bar on South Lamar, for a while now, I finally checked it out. Considering I live a stone’s throw away, I am shamefaced for not venturing sooner, but after one visit, I am a convert. Aviary first opened as solely a home décor store a few years back, but faced with 2008’s crumbling economy, the store explored new ways to generate income. Thus, Aviary Lounge was born. As a store, Aviary is filled with unique, eye catching finds, bright colors, and carefully cultivated stylish, chic furniture. It is the type of store where the more time you spend in it, the more hidden treasures uncovered. During the evenings, when the wine bar is filled with beautiful people, music and dim lights, the atmosphere is both eclectic and trendy. But there is a sense of welcoming rather than exclusivity; it is as if you have been invited into someone’s amazingly hip living room. The owners, husband and wife team Marco Fiorilo and Shanna Eldridge draw a crowd of friends and acquaintances, but readily take a seat on a couch next to perhaps a soon to be new friend to talk about wine, cheese, and so on. Speaking of wine, Aviary has quite a few bottles to choose from. Their wine list is filled with interesting varieties, and the knowledgeable staff will readily give you a taste in a votive candle holder turned wine tasting glass. With a regular offering of wine specials (see below), you can stick to your entertainment budget if you splurge on some new home goods. There are also nightly selections of locally sourced charcuterie and cheese to choose from, with board prices between $15-$10. Some of the cheeses ordered were hit or miss, mostly based on personal preference, but it is always nice to branch out and try a few new varieties. The chicken liver pate and lonzino were both delicious. Aviary Lounge is the quintessential South Austin place; edgy and hip, yet still maintaining a come as you are, casual tone. Recessionista Wine Drinking Note: Tuesdays are $2 night Wednesdays are ½ off bottles Thursdays are $3 night Fridays are movie nights, plus $10 off bottles!  A wine bar with the comforts of home! Continue reading Aviary Decor and Lounge
| | 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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