Austin

The Brewer’s Table: Deliciously Beautiful Food

August 7, 2018 by Alyssa

Even before it’s opening, The Brewer’s Table was one of Austin’s most anticipated restaurants of 2018. After a visit for brunch and dinner, it’s lived up to the pre-opening hype and is a sure contender for the city’s best new restaurant.

I heard whisperings of The Brewer’s Table ages before it opened. And, at least in my circle, it was the most talked about Austin restaurant opening which made me ridiculously eager to visit. Although the restaurant celebrated its grand opening in early June, I waited until it premiered its brunch menu for an initial visit. A few days later, <3M and I ventured back to The Brewer’s Table for dinner.

In full transparency, <3M and I treated ourselves to brunch the first time around and were invited back for dinner a few days later by owner, Jake Maddux. However, all photos and opinions are my own.

Atmosphere

The Brewer’s Table is a beautifully designed venue. In fact, everything about The Brewer’s Table is beautiful — decor, menus, kitchen, plating, the food. (Side note, be prepared to see the word beautiful used multiple times below because I truly can’t think of any other word to describe both The Brewer’s Table venue and food. Simply gorgeous.)

The restaurant’s atmosphere is airy with bright, natural light and pops of color giving it a modern feel. It’s full of natural wood and clean lines with a backdrop of neutral, calming colors. Inside there are loads of dried ingredients, including a large fish hanging from the ceiling.

The open kitchen and chef’s counter has views of food preparation including a large wood-fired grill which is banked with stacks of cookbooks by famous chefs and brewers. Outside, the same airy, calming feeling extends to a patio and small bar where The Brewer’s Table offers up drinks and small bites during happy hour. I had serious decor and kitchen envy while dining.

Drinks

With a selection of their own beer, guest taps, wine, and house cocktails, The Brewer’s Table offers something for everyone. I found true love with the tap wine, a chilled Shiraz that was pure perfection for this red loving girl on a hot Austin day. <3M enjoyed their twist on an old fashioned, the Hop & Bothered, that had a similar flavor palette but with a touch more sweetness than the standard drink.

And, although I only sampled one of their own brews, I was intrigued by the unique use of ingredients in each of The Brewer’s Table’s offerings — roasted beets, sweet potatoes, and dried jasmine.

Food

If I had to make one statement about The Brewer’s Table, it’s that they have the most beautiful food I have ever seen. Each plating is exquisite and each dish has a combination of colors and textures that make each presentation a pure work of art. I could truly stare and take photos of their food all day long. Below’ a look at the dishes <3M and I enjoyed during our visits.

Deviled Eggs

These looked divine and were again beautiful, however, I learned I’m not much of a fan of smoked chicken liver mousse. Although I truly enjoyed the crunchy bits beneath, I recommend knowing whether or not you enjoy liver before ordering.

Summer Bean & Barley Salad

I really enjoyed this salad. It was light and full of fresh seasonal flavors with a subtle ranch dressing. It had every note of flavor I could have asked for — salty, creamy, crunchy and I could have licked the plate clean. My only lasting desire was for more of the beans and barley.

Fried Chicken Sandwich

This chicken was perfectly moist and savory but the real star of this dish was the mesquite buttered roll. It was soft, buttery, melt in your mouth goodness. And the chips were lick your fingers addicting.

Snacks for the Table

I’m a sucker for snack plates and this one was my favorite ever, anywhere. I was so impressed with the presentation, the mix of textures and flavors. I also loved the different techniques presented in this dish including the beer compressed peaches with berry granita, lager chicharrones, and the crunchy beer grain falafel.

Hearth Bread

While this bread was delicious, just like the roll from the Fried Chicken Sandwich, the real star was the mesquite butter. I will usually skip over bread and butter but this butter was everything. Slightly sweet with a touch of smoke and salt. I wanted it on everything.

Chicken Paprikash

If you want comfort food then this is your dish. It was tenderly cooked, fall-off-the-bone chicken smothered in a tomato-paprika sauce served with soft, chewy beer grain spaetzle. And it left me wanting more. I hope the Chicken Paprikash remains on the menu throughout the winter months because I want to snuggle up with it again during a cold December night.

Green Tomato and Blue Crab Parfait

I went back and forth on the dish. I loved it when I composed the perfect bite by incorporating each ingredient on my spoon which created a balance between the fishiness of the crab, the acidity of the tomato, and sweetness from the fruit. However, if I got something alone it was a bit off balance which is why I’m torn on whether or not I’d order it again. But again, as with all the dishes, it had a beautiful presentation.

Whipped Chocolate Mousse

If I were dining solo, I would have chosen a different dessert because this mousse had bananas in it and I’m not a huge fan of bananas but <3M wanted the mousse and so it was. However, I was beyond happy with the result. The banana flavor was subtle and I loved the crunchy hazelnut pieces and the light, silky chocolate mousse. In truth, I’m usually unimpressed with restaurant desserts but this, I’d order again.

Ice Cream Cone

I loved that this dessert because of its miniature size and the different textures it offered. It had pops of crunch from the toasted barley and the gooey caramel at the bottom of the beer grain waffle cone. It was the perfect little ending to the meal.

Final Thoughts

If you are a fan of restaurants like Barley Swine, Odd Duck, or Emmer & Rye then you need to make your way to The Brewer’s Table.

In my opinion, The Brewer’s Table has more to offer than the others in terms of unique craft brews, an outdoor space that’s kid & dog-friendly, and seating that can easily accommodate a large group. On top of that, the food’s elegant, creative, and delicious while offering a memorable dining experience.

I honestly believe The Brewer’s Table has a bright future. With its gorgeous interiors, creative use of ingredients, and beautiful food it will definitely land itself on a few top restaurant lists this year both locally and on the national front. I’m excited to see where the future takes it.

Have you visited The Brewer’s Table yet? What were your thoughts?

Snap Kitchen’s Flexible Meal Plans Balance Healthy Eating & Cooking at Home

June 27, 2018 by Alyssa

Snap Kitchen’s new flexible meal planning service allows you to easily customize meal plans to fit your lifestyle while still giving you the freedom to cook the meals you enjoy the most at home.

Meals are packed and ready for an easy pick-up.

It’s obvious that I love cooking (I mean, this is a food blog and all) but what I really love is creating delicious, good for me meals. Cooking my own meals means I can control the ingredients going into my food while ensuring the food I’m serving <3M and I is healthy while still tasting delicious.

However, cooking ALL THE MEALS is a lot of work. I make breakfast from scratch every morning, then most days I pack my lunch for work plus a few snacks. Other days, I pack lunch for <3M, along with a few healthy snacks, and then come home to make dinner and maybe bake something. Some days it feels like all I do while I’m home is cooking, packing meals, and doing the dishes. It’s even worse on the weekends when a portion of my Sunday is sucked up grocery shopping and meal prepping when really all I want to do is hang by the pool.

‘Fridge stocked & ready to go for the week // It’s easy to grab ‘n’ go each morning with Snap Kitchen’s printed meal plan

Well, this summer, thanks to Snap Kitchen’s new flexible meal plans, I no longer have to feel like I’m spending my entire home-life cooking and doing dishes. I’ve always been a fan of Snap Kitchen because they offer full transparency with their meals and their food is fresh while actually tasting good and being good FOR YOU. And, although this post is sponsored, I still shell out my own cash regularly on Snap Kitchen meals because I’m a true fan and love the benefits of their meal plans which is why I’m sharing this today.

Snap Kitchen Chimichurri Chicken + Snacks

Planning to eat healthy is easy with Snap Kitchen!

With Snap Kitchen’s meal plan subscriptions, I can more easily plan out all of my meals and have them ready to pick-up on Monday mornings on my way to work. <3M has even hopped on the Snap Kitchen meal planning bandwagon and is regularly enjoying Snap Kitchen meals — which makes both of our mornings easier and ensures we’re eating healthy while still saving room for cake on the weekends.

Choose the meal plan that fits you best.

Snap Kitchen helps me reach my daily macro goals

I especially love Snap Kitchen’s new flexible meal plans because I can customize breakfast, lunch and snacks to fit my own eating preferences. I personally like to eat a higher protein diet and Snap Kitchen offers a high protein plan that pre-populates with suggested meals to meet my calorie and protein goals. I also love that I can swap out items and see a macro summery of my choices for the day when I’m debating between different dishes.

Selecting and editing your meals is easy and daily macros are clearly visible.

The variety of Snap Kitchen food keeps me satisfied

Snap Kitchen’s meal plans also get me out of food rut. Typically, I’ll have salad for lunch, a protein shake in the afternoon as a snack, and a handful of nuts sometime throughout the day. But with Snap Kitchen’s meal plans, I’m able to have a larger variety of meals and snacks that keep me full and feeling satisfied. I’m a huge fan of their house smoked salmon as an afternoon snack and love their juice or smoothies as a morning snack. Seriously, the variety of flavors and feel good food is what keeps me coming back.

I still enjoy cooking at home

And the best part about Snap Kitchen’s new flexible meal plans is that I can choose to have Snap Kitchen only provide breakfast, lunch, and snacks which leaves me the freedom to make dinner at home because I truly enjoy cooking meals for <3M and I. Making dinner together is our time to decompress from the day and reconnect. Snap Kitchen simply takes away the overhead work for other meals during the week that makes cooking less enjoyable and leaves us with our favorite part. Pairing Snap Kitchen’s meal planning services with my own dinner just makes life easy and allows <3M and I to spend more time together.

If you’re ready to try Snap Kitchen’s new meal plans, you can download their app and save $20 off your first order with my code SNP-2482.

Suerte: An Honest Review of Austin’s New Eastside Restaurant

March 26, 2018 by Alyssa

Friday night, <3M and I stopped by Austin’s newest Eastside restaurant, Suerte, to check out the masa-based menu. I had no doubt we’d love this new Mexican restaurant from Odd Duck alum Sam Hellman-Mass! We enjoyed a great meal and the cocktails & wine list were top notch.

All the dishes at Suerte are small plate style so we ordered a bunch to share throughout the night. Here’s a look at our evening!

We had reservations for 6:45pm and arrived right on time but since <3M and I both love sitting at the bar, we chose to wait a bit until a bar seat opened up. While we waited, we ordered a round of cocktails. For me, the La Chiquitita with mezcal, grapefruit, lime, ginger honey, soda and for him, the Suerte Lager, a collaboration brew with Hops & Grain Brewing.

To start, we had the Bean Taquitos, which was one of my favorite dishes of the evening! The taquitos were crisp but slightly chewy and I loved the smokey, salty slaw on top.

We followed the taquitos with a round from the Frio & Raw portion of the menu. <3M’s a bit hesitant when it comes to seafood but he will eat shrimp so I convinced him to try the Aguachile, a shrimp ceviche.

We both loved the dish, even <3M with this being his first ceviche experience ever. The Aguachile was so fresh, served with a side of extra crispy tostadas, and the red sauce reminded me of an enchilada sauce. Yum!

Next up we ordered the Chicken Tamal with recado negro and chicken skin chicharrón. We both loved the crispy chicken skin on top and the pulled, smokey chicken. The Tamal was serve on top of a cream sauce that I would have loved a bit more of as I found the masa too dry for my liking.

Right about here is when we decided on another round of drinks. <3M ordered an Old Fashioned from our bartender, Trent. And Trent did a top-notch job! <3M declared the Old Fashioned to be one of his favorite’s in the city and even bumped it into his top 5 for best Old Fashioned’s in Austin. I ended my evening with a glass of red and highly recommend Suerte’s wine menu. I thoroughly enjoyed the Tierras Moradas carmenere which Trent recommended and am even looking to add it to our own wine collection!

The one dish I was most excited about from Suerte was the Chicken En Pinenut Mole. I love traditional mole, it’s savory, smokey and has a hint of chocolate and spice. Absolutely delicious!

However, the mole at Suerte didn’t have the familiar chocolate, spicy base. Suerte’s mole is pine nut based (as stated) and while it isn’t traditional, I appreciated the twist with the brown butter and wilted greens but still yearned for the familiar mole flavors. I was also hoping for some sort of tortilla here since Suerte’s menu is masa-centric but this was served as a knife & fork dish.

We ended our meal with the Chocolate con Churros for dessert which is served with Mexican chocolate. I liked the churros but was slightly disappointed. The chocolate wasn’t sweetened, closer to a bittersweet chocolate and although the churros were rolled in sugar it didn’t cut the bitterness of the chocolate. I also was hoping for a bit of cinnamon in the dessert as I’ve come to expect with churros. I’d probably opt for a different dessert next time around.

Overall, <3M and I truly enjoyed our meal at Suerte and will likely be back again for visit — especially for an Old Fashioned and the bean taquitos. And if you’re looking for a date night spot, you should definitely give Suerte a shot.

SXSW Food & Fitness Events You Don’t Want to Miss

March 7, 2018 by Alyssa

Looking for the best foodie and fitness events offered during SXSW? I’ve got your round-up right here. Additional updates to come as more events are announced.

I don’t really love SXSW music and film events but I do love the foodie and fitness-focused events that come along with all the music and movie hype! Although SXSW does have a designated food-track of lectures and events, you must be a SXSW badge holder to participate.

Since the price of a badge is a little too steep for my pockets, I’ve tracked down the top foodie and fitness events that won’t break the bank. Below is my list of the top events you need know about during the next few weeks of SXSW. Some of the events are free, others require the SXSW Guest Pass and a few have a minimal cost that won’t break the bank.

Hope to see you at a few of the events!

Foodie Events

March 9th

Free BBQ and Beer at Cooper’s for the taping of BBQuest. Music performance TBD. More details here.

March 9th-17th

SouthBites Trailer Park 6th Annual event will kick-off on March 9th. Features this year include SouthBites Market from March 14th-17th serving globally diverse treats and a Roasters Village highlighting tea & coffee from March 10th-12th.

Skip the line by pre-ordering & paying with the Partake app when ordering with partner food trucks: Belly Up, Burro Cheese Kitchen, Dee Dee’s Northern Thai, juice Austin,kebabalicious, mmmpanadas, Noble Sandwich Co., Ranch Hand, Taco Flats

March 9th-12th

Don’t have a badge but still want to attend foodie-focused lectures? Land-o-Lakes is hosting The Food Effect at Trinity Hall open to the public with 4 days worth of food-focused conversation. Check out the full schedule of talks here. This one seems like the ulitimate must-do for me!

March 9th-14th

One of the co-founding chefs of the acclaimed Noma restuarant, Mads Refslund, will be hosting five SXSW pop-up dinners featuring local Austin ingredients with Nordic flair. Full details here, reservations required.

March 10th

Grab a free burger from Pool Burger and sip tiki drinks to refuel after your first full-festival day with Saved by the Brunch. Registration recommended.

March 11th

Learn about gluten-free baking with Chef Vanessa Musi and Athlete. The event includes demo + bites. Register here.

Food and travel chat with A Taste of Koko sponsored by Athleta. The event will include raffles and refreshments. RSVP here.

Grab free Lick Ice Cream while checking out The Beekman Boy’s book signing at Tom’s. Details here.

March 12th-13th

SNICKERS inspired tacos and foods at the SNICKERS Social Eatery. Music, tacos, drinks. RSVP here.

March 13th

Brainfood is sponsoring a conversation at the Capital Factory about Austin’s booming food scene and how they’re utilizing innovation and technology to feed the industry. Tickets are $25 and includes bites and drinks. I already purchased a ticket and am excited about the spearkers here!

Also on March 13th, get cheesy with the Washington Wine Quesoff at the SouthBites park. Chefs and commoners compete for the title of Best Queso. BYO-Chips!

March 14th-15th

Global One Farm is hosting a list of events over the course of two days including the chance to make your own floral crown, participate in a salsa challenge and indulge in globally inspired eats. Full details here.

March 13th

Country music, Salt Lick BBQ, beer, and other libations. Request an invite here.

March 16th

NadaMoo’s hosting a SXSOLA with free food and drinks from some of their favorite Austin companies. They’ll also be premiering their newest gluten-free, dairy-free ice cream flavors with free scoops. Details here.

March 17th

Rachael Ray’s Feedback returns to Stubb’s for its 11th year. This year’s food features hot dogs for both meat eaters and vegetarians. The music line up includes Salt-n-Pep, Girl Talk, and Bob Schneider among others.

March 18th

Celebrate the end of SXSW with Nickel City. First 50 people get a free gift, there will also be 99 cent Aperol Spritzes, coney dogs and chair massage. Facebook event details here.

Fitness Events

March 9th

Fitvent is hosting a full day of fitness-focused events with brands showcasing new innovations and trends in the health and fitness industry. They’ll also have a bunch of goodies, freebies, and giveaways. Register to attend. Hoping to swing by here after work on Friday!

March 10th

Under Armour HOVR run with free breakfast tacos starting at 8:30am. Details here.

JackRabbit & RogueRunning are also hosting bRUNch open to the public. Register here.

March 10th-11th

SXSW Wellness Expo at the Palmer Events Center, open to the public with a Guest Pass from 11am-6pm. Watch demonstrations, attend workshops and listen to the speakers. More details here. I also heard Outdoor Voices has an amazing AR experience to showcase!

March 11th

Free yoga class at The South Congress Hotel sponsored by Lifeway. Also, free healthy bites all day at the Life Lounge.RSVP here for yoga classes and to stop by the lounge during the day.

March 14th-22nd

Ballet Austin is offering discounted dance and fitness classes for SXSW starting at $9. See the full schedule here.

March 15th

FREE Cycle + Strength Class at Castle Fitness sponsored by the PS Snacks. Register here.

March 17th

3 mile run with Outdoor Voices and The Loop Running Supply Co. Hang out after for treats from The Juice Society and breakfast tacos. You must RSVP.

OV and WeWork are also hosting a few other yoga and pilates events throughout SXSW. See them all here.

The Ultimate Guide to Austin’s Best Bowls of Ramen

March 1, 2018 by Alyssa

This post was updated on April 3, 2021 with the year’s best ramen.

Your ultimate guide to Austin’s best bowls of Ramen. Check out these great bowls below and let me know which is your favorite.

This ultimate guide to Austin’s Best Bowls of Ramen is provided in collaboration with Austin Food Blogger’s Alliance Best Bites. Check out the full list of Austin’s Best Bites here.

Ramen Tatsu-Ya // 📸Crystal David Keogh

Ramen Tatsu-Ya

Probably the most famous Austin ramen spot is Ramen Tatsu-Ya and rightly deserving of of the top spot on my list of Austin’s Best Bowls of Ramen. With a list of accolades and a line out the door, this hot spot will never disappoint. Try the Ol’ Skool and add a Spicy Bomb.

1234 S. Lamar Blvd // 8557 Research Blvd // http://www.ramen-tatsuya.com/

Kome

Previously ramen during lunch, Kome’s expanded their ramen offering to their dinner menu since moving to their new, larger location. Although the same owners as Daruma Ramen, Kome’s ramen offerings include pork-based broth options in addition to a miso and vegan ramen bowl. You can also make the ramen spicy by opting for a $1 kimchi & spice base! Do it.

5301 Airport Blvd // https://www.kome-austin.com/

Kome // 📸Sveta Moller @atx_bites

Kemuri Tatsu-Ya

From the chef/owners of Ramen Tatsu-Ya comes Kemuri Tatsu-ya, offering its own brand of ramen. Based on past Ramen Tatsu-Ya collaborations with Franklin’s BBQ, some speculate the brisket used in Kemuri’s ramen is Franklin’s own! It’s a toss-up as to which Kemuri offering is best, the Texas Ramen with said ‘Franklin’ brisket and a classic execution or with a savory, thick dipping BBQ ramen serving up that same, melt-in-your-mouth brisket. They’re small bowls so order both, and you be the judge.

2713 E. 2nd Street // http://kemuri-tatsuya.com/

Michi Ramen

Offering a variety of ramen, including a bowl specially made for Texas with smoked BBQ pork ribs, Michi Ramen will not disappoint and why it made my list of Austin’s Best Bowls of Ramen. Don’t leave without grabbing some mochi ice cream.

6519 N. Lamar // 3005 S. Lamar // 1615 Grand Avenue, Pflugerville // http://www.michiramen.com/

Michi // 📸Jimmy Ho @thesmokingho

Peached Tortilla

Peached Tortilla chef, Eric Silverstein, grew up in Japan before moving to the States. Inspired by his Japanese roots, he’s serving up a rotating bowl of ramen every Thursday night from 5pm until sold out, and it does sell out so get there early. Go frequently to try the rotating specials! And, while not ramen, Peached Tortilla’s Malaysian Laksa Bowl, which can be found on their regular menu, is a delicious, noodley soup that any ramen lover should try!

5520 Burnet Road // https://thepeachedtortilla.com/

Peached Tortilla Malaysian Laksa

Daruma Ramen

Daruma Ramen is a great pick for vegan eaters with a veggie-fruit based ramen stock. It totes itself as being healthy and delicious, offering chicken-stock as a base for their other ramen bowls. With minimal seating, this ramen joint is usually busy for lunch and packs a wait at dinner time.

612 6th Street // https://www.darumaramen.com/

Daruma

Jinya Ramen

Don’t brush Jinya Ramen off just because it’s a chain ramen restaurant. With an extensive list of ramen options, Jinya Ramen has something for everyone including spicy and vegan offerings. Jinya Ramen also has over 25 different topping options allowing ramen lovers to completely customize their bowl. And if you’re not up for the traditional noodles, Jinya offers a Asian salads, tacos, and curries to satisfy any craving.

3210 Esperanza Crossing #130, Austin, Texas 78758 // http://jinya-ramenbar.com/

Haru Ramen

Haru Ramen serves up an offering of ramen options to please the whole family! Try their signature beef bulgogi ramen with donkotsu brothonions, napa cabage, bean sprouts, and enoki mushroom. Or, how about their Tsukemen, a cold ramen noodle served with a hot donkotsu dipping broth for a delightfully savory meal. And for the picky eaters, Haru Ramen’s even serving up just plain ol’ broth and noodles.

http://harutx.com/ // 2525 W Anderson Ln Ste 120, Austin, TX 78757

A Guide to Great Bowls of Ramen in Austin was created in collaboration with the Austin Food Blogger’s Alliance City Guide. Check out the full round-up on the AFBA site or check out my other guide for a round-up of Austin’s Prix Fixe & Tasting Menus and the city’s best Old Fashioneds.

Daruma Ramen

Pokeatery: Bringing Pokecado Toast and Dole Whip to Austin

February 8, 2018 by Alyssa

Pokeatery launches in Austin bringing fresh poke bowls, dole whip, and pokecado toast to Mueller! It’s celebrating its official grand opening on February 10th by giving away 100 free poke bowls!

FULL DISCLOSURE: I ATTENDED A TASTING AT POKEATERY AND RECEIVED A COMPLIMENTARY MEAL. ALL OPINIONS ARE MY OWN.

I’m a huge fan of poke and it seems to be all the rage lately. But my one qualm with Austin’s current offerings is that I want to customize my poke bowl (ala Chipotle style) but doing so ends up costing me a fortune!

Well, not anymore.

Pokeatery landed in Austin this past month and it offers 100% customizable poke creations where you’re the mastermind behind the flavors. This past weekend, I was invited to a tasting at Pokeatery and their menu’s got me pumped about poke!

Not only does Pokeatery offering traditional poke bowls that you can customize with a base, mix-ins, protein, toppings, and sauces but they also premiered POKECADO TOAST!

This genius Pokecado Toast creation mashes together the beloved avocado toast and poke bowls. You get the best of both worlds with a thick schmear of avocado on a thick slice of toast topped with your choice of protein, toppings, and sauces. And I’m pretty sure pokecado toast can be eaten for breakfast, lunch or dinner.

Pokeatery’s also brought Hawaii’s favorite dessert, Dole Whip to Austin! It’s a citrusy, fruity dessert that reminds me of a soft-serve sorbet and it’s the most delightful flavor that’ll be a hit during Austin’s steamy summer season.

Similar to the pokecado toast, Pokeatery is taking Dole Whip one step further and will soon be offering Dole Whip Floats pairing the dessert with Maui Brewing Beer. If you’re not up for a float, you can still pair a Maui brew with your poke, my favorite of the tasting was Maui Brewing’s Coconut Hiwa Porter.

Pokeatery is celebrating their official grand opening this Saturday, February 10th at 11am. They’ll be giving away free poke bowls to the first 100 people and hosting raffles for other great prizes throughout the day including a huge flat screen TV! You’re best bet is to get there early, grab a bowl or toast, and don’t forget the dole whip!

Pokeatery
1201 Barbara Jordan Blvd #1410
Austin, TX 78723
Hours: 11am-9pm, Daily

Austin’s Best Prix Fixe & Tasting Menus

February 4, 2018 by Alyssa

In collaboration with Austin Food Blogger Alliance’s annual #ATXBestEats Austin City Guide, this round-up of Austin’s Best Prix Fixe and Tasting Menus includes the most delicious menus Austin has to offer!

Updated April 3, 2021, availability subject to restaurant COVID protocols. Advised to please call restaurants to confirm offerings and pricing.

Prix Fixe or Tasting Menus are often a great way to sample a restaurant’s offerings or to indulge in a decadent meal to celebrate a special occasion! No matter why you choose to dine, this round-up of Austin’s Best Prix Fixe and Tasting Menus includes the most delicious menus Austin has to offer!

Barley Swine: 6555 Burnet Road, Suite 400, Austin, Texas 78757

This was my most memorable meal ever and I highly recommend this meal as a splurge for $105! The 10-course tasting menu is tailored to your food preferences with a specially printed menu just for you! There’s also an option to include a wine or beer pairing at an additional cost. And of course, Barley Swine also treats you throughout the night with a few complimentary bites, palate cleansers, and chocolates. Check out my full review of the tasting experience here and here.

Barley Swine Tasting Menu

Brentwood Social House: 1601 West Koenig Lane, Austin, Texas 78756

Offers a traditional English Afternoon Tea with a 3-tiered stand of sweet and savory treats. You should definitely make reservations for you and a few friends enjoy this $31.39 per person experience. You can expect to savor tea sandwiches, scones, sweet treats with a pot of tea and your pinky up.

Casa de Luz: 1701 Toomey Road, Austin Texas 78704

Emphasizing whole foods and a vegan diet, Casa de Luz offers a daily, rotating prix fixe menu for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. For $9, breakfast includes tea, soup, dark greens with a nuts & seeds sauce, mixed vegetables, beans, tortillas, and porridge. Dinner is $12 with the option of an extra side ($2) or an extra plate ($8) and includes a beverage, soup, salad, and main plate of whole grains, beans, greens with a nut & seed sauce, mixed vegetables and fermented vegetables. If you’re looking for a filling wholesome meal, I highly recommend Casa de Luz.

Chez Nous: 510 Neches Street, Austin, Texas 78701 (Temporarily Closed – COVID)

Often featured on lists of Austin’s best date night restaurants for its quaint, cozy atmosphere and French flair, Chez Nous offers a prix fixe dinner menu for $34.50 that includes a first course, entree, and dessert. Don’t skip on dessert and savor the Mousse au Chocolat!

Eden East & Eden West Food Truck: 211 Darden Hill Road, Driftwood, Texas 78619 • Food Truck at Desert Door Distillery

Note: Temporarily closed due to COVID but offering pop-up prix fixe dinners, check Instagram for details or visit their new Eden West Food Truck for ala carte offerings located at the Desert Door Distillery in Driftwood, Texas.

Focused on fresh, seasonal ingredients, Eden East features a prix fixe four coarse menu for $70 while highlighting a dining atmosphere set to the backdrop of Springdale Farm. Menus are limitedly customizable so if you have any dietary restrictions, let them know when making your reservation. I adore dining at Eden East as it’s a lazy, drawn-out meal giving you time to enjoy your company and take in the rustic yet elegant surroundings. Eden Easy is also a BYOB establishment but most nights feature limited, complimentary cocktails. Either way, be sure to swing by the market to grab your favorite bubbly or craft beer before arriving.

Dining scene from Eden East at Springdale Farm

Juniper: 2400 E Cesar Chavez St #304 Austin, TX 78702

Offered Thursday-Saturday at the chef’s counter only, this tasting menu will allow you to experience the rustic flavors of Italy with a 10-course ($110) or 5-course tasting menu ($65) for dinner. Also choose a brunch tasting ($45) offered on Sundays only from 11-2:30pm. Juniper’s able to accommodate most dietary preferences with notice.

Lenoir: 1807 South First, Austin, Texas 78704

Note: Unclear if Lenoir is still offering their prix fixe during COVID.

This prix fixe menu is so indulgent and such a steal for just $45! With an ever-changing menu focused on seasonal ingredients with a touch of French cooking, you get your choice of 3 dishes and the option to add more for $10 each. Afterward, grab a glass of wine and head out to Lenoir’s wine garden to relax in the evening air! Pro Tip: Be sure to make a reservation in advance as seating is limited.

Lenoir Prix Fixe Menu

Otoko: 1603 South Congress Avenue, Austin, Texas 787404

Otoko is a 12-seat Japanese restaurant created by one of Austin’s most-known chefs, Paul Qui, James Beard award medalist and Top Chef winner. In collaboration with Chef Yoshi Okai, who heads Otoko daily, the restaurant offers a multi-course omakase experience, blending ‘Tokyo-style sushi and Kyoto-style kaiseki into a unique tasting menu.’ The menu is based on ingredient availability and seasonality. Reservations are required through Tock and are released on the first of every month. Otoko has multi-course Kyoto-style kaiseki experience is $175 per guest.

Revue at The Fairmont: 101 Red River Street, Austin, Texas 78701

Note: Brunch appears to be suspended during COVID.

A brunch buffet plus endless entree options make Revue an awesome brunch spot for you and a date or a group of friends! They have a full raw bar, classic breakfast options, a dessert spread wtih candy bar, and their endless entrees include the fluffiest Belgian waffles, a gooey molten lava chocolate chip cooking and endless coffee. Add a mimosa for $2 or fresh green juice for $4

Salt Lick: 18300 FM 1826, Driftwood, Texas 78619 or 3350 East Palm Valley Boulevard, Round Rock, Texas 78665

You can get your BBQ fix at either the Driftwood or Round Rock Salt Lick locations with their all-you-can-eat Family Style offering which includes brisket, sausage, pork ribs and sides for $28.95. If you head to the original Driftwood location, remember it’s cash only!

Salt Lick – Driftwood

Uchi & Uchiko: 801 South Lamar, Austin, Texas 78701 and 4200 N Lamar Blvd, Austin, TX 78756

Uchi and it’s sister restaurant, Uchiko, by executive chef Tyson Cole, both offer contemporary Japanese sushi along with unique hot & cold dishes. Each restaurant offers a chef’s tasting menu featuring fresh, seasonal ingredients. The Uchi tasting menu has three options — a 10-course or 6-course chef tasting which includes both meat, fish & vegetable tastings, or a vegetarian tasting while Uchiko offers a 10-course or a 5-course tasting menu. Pricing for tasting at both Uchi and Uchiko vary at market price. This meal is definitely more of an indulgent but it’s a unique experience with sophisticated, Japanese flavors.

Wink: 1014 N Lamar Blvd, Austin, TX 78703

A notable wine bar, Wink offers multiple tasting options (chef, seafood, and vegetarian, varying from 5 to 7 courses) all of which can be paired with wine for an additional cost. The Wink tasting menu includes seafood, steak, tartare, Texas cheese plate and more! My tip, start with a crisp glass of bubbly then dive into the menu!

Have you had the opportunity to indulge in any of Austin’s Best Prix Fixe & Tasting Menus If so, I’d love for you to share your review in the comments!

Do you know any other of Austin’s Best Prix Fixe & Tasting Menus that I missed? If so, leave the name in the comments and I’ll happily update this post so it becomes a more comprehensive list.

The Soup Peddler: Celebrating 16 Years

January 30, 2018 by Alyssa

The Soup Peddler, the OG of Austin soup and juice, is celebrating its 16th anniversary with a special Alamo Drafthouse screening and a world premier tasting of their Duck Soup!

Above: Tropicalia with mango, banana, pineapple juice, lemon, kale, spirulina and whey protein

Did you know The Soup Peddler is the OG of Austin’s soup and juice scene? The Soup Peddler was making fresh, wholesome soups, juices, and smoothies before it was cool and started as a peddle-pushing soup shop on wheels way back in 2002.

Above: Magic Carpet Ride with cherry, pistachio, tahini, sumac, Himalayan salt, banana, coconut water; African Peanut Soup

In 2010, The Soup Peddler opened up its first brick-and-mortar and from there, the business blossomed into a quirky, iconic, Austin hotspot. All this was way before the big eat-local, juice movement became the phenomenon it is today — thus making it the OG of Austin juice (or at least in my book!).

Above: The Love Cleanse withcucumber, kale, spinach, parsley, celery; The Soup Peddler Lamar Location; Veggie Chili

The Soup Peddler is celebrating its 16th anniversary on February 13th with a rare screening of its ‘2005 epic documentary The Soup Peddler’ where you can learn the backstory of The Soup Peddler himself, David Ansel, who’s become an Austin legend.

Above: Charisma, Dexterity, and Stamina Bread; Moonage Daydream with carrot, orange, apple, lemon, turmeric, ginger, cayenne

The Alamo Drafthouse screening will follow with a meet-and-greet with David Ansel and a showing of the iconic Duck Soup by the Marx Brothers. At the event, the shop will also premiere their own Duck Soup, served complimentary to all attendees.

You can grab tickets on TicketBud for less than $12 inclusive of the movie, meet-and-greet, and tasting! And best yet, all proceeds will benefit the non-profit Yellow Bike Project.

Above: The Soup Peddler Mary Street Location

If you can’t make it to the anniversary celebration, at least stop by your neighborhood Soup Peddler and wish them a Happy Anniversary.

The Soup Peddler
Multiple Locations
Austin, TX
(512) 444-SOUP

Julie Myrtille’s Bakery at Texas Farmer’s Market

January 20, 2018 by Alyssa

I love a quiet Saturday morning where I take some time for myself and ease into the weekend with a stroll downtown and a visit to Julie Myrtille’s Bakery at the Farmer’s Market for a delicious Parisian pastry.

Updated January 30, 2017: Crème de la Crème has been rebranded as Julie Myrtille’s Bakery. This post has been revised to reflect this change.

Before heading to the market, Stella and I stretch our legs with a walk around Town Lake while taking in the city views. The fresh air allows me to reflect on my past week, mentally prepare my to-do list for the weekend and set my intentions for the rest of the day. I find it so calming to walk without talking to someone else and simply people watching along the way.

Other Saturdays, while easing into my weekend, I enjoy walking with Stella while listening to an audiobook or podcast which allows me to zone out and concentrate on the narrative without thinking too much or overanalyzing my past week.

Currently, I’m listening to by Kamila Shamsie – a novel about immigration, terrorism, and love all while shadowing the world’s current state of affairs. If you haven’t heard of it, it’s a great read (or listen!).

One of my favorite parts of the walk is watching Stella smile at strangers on the trail. It’s like she’s pleading with them to stop and pet her.

When they see her walking towards them, it’s obvious they see Stella smiling at them and often smile back, some even say hello to her, while a few stop and ask to pet her. I’m pretty sure that’s her favorite part of the walk.

After our walk, I love venturing into downtown with Stella as we lazily make our way towards the Farmer’s Market at Republic Square Park. I find it relaxing, weaving in and out of all the people while sipping on a coffee, taking in the seasonal produce and exploring Austin’s local makers.

A must for easing into the weekend is treating myself a delectable pastry while at the market – making my way around the different vendors in search of a craveable treat. Although the downtown market has plenty of pastry vendors, I’m often drawn to Julie Myrtille’s Bakery over all others. Julie Myrtille’s baked goods are gorgeous to look at, the true definition of eye candy. And the taste, simply perfection.

Julie Myrtille is an award-winning Parisian chef who shares classic French pastries at the market – croissants, brioche, Cannelé de Bordeaux, meringues, madeleines…with rotating options each visit. And although I’ve never been to France, eating Julie’s baked goods instantly transports me to a quaint Parisian cafe.

Julie also makes salted caramel and jam to pair with her pastries. My favorite jam is the Strawberry Champagne — which found a home in my ‘fridge! It’s a small piece of Saturday I can enjoy later in the week.

If you haven’t visited Julie Myrtille’s Bakery at the market, I highly recommend you work it into your next Saturday outing. Grab a pastry or two to eat throughout the week. Like my jam, it’s your little bit of the weekend during the work week to remind you that you’re never more than 5 days away from Saturday.

Once I’ve settled on a baked good and savored every bite, Stella and I hop back in the car and head home — refreshed, calm, and ready to tackle the rest of our weekend ahead of us.

Do you have a weekend ritual that helps you ease into the rest of your day? I’d love to hear about your favorite ways to savor your weekend.

Ramona’s Hummus: Austin Food Truck Making a Meal Out of Hummus + GIVEAWAY

January 16, 2018 by Alyssa

Ramona’s Hummus is an Austin food truck making a meal out of hummus serving up hummus bowls topped with spicy meat and falafel, starring hummus in veggie-filled salads, and makes hummus poutine fries for those in need of a hangover cure. And it’s one food truck you’ve got to try.

I’m giving away two sets of BOGO cards to Ramona’s Hummus. Find details on Instagram.
Winner announced on Saturday, January 20th.

Hummus Plate with gluten-free falafel

If you don’t know by now, hummus is my favorite food. If it’s on a restaurant menu, there’s 110% chance I’m ordering it. Garlic hummus, curried hummus, beet hummus, whatever it is, I love it. (Except dessert hummus, someone made a mistake when they put chocolate and beans together…)

But none the less, I love hummus and Ramona’s Hummus is my favorite, crave-able spot to get my fix.

I’ve seen the evolution of Ramona’s Hummus from its days as a pop-up shop, cooking on a hot plate and a folding table through menu development and recipe testing, and now, as a full-fledged food truck. And with each visit, I find myself loving it even more.

Hummus plate with gluten-free falafel, pita, and cucumber salad

Ramona’s Hummus

I first met Ramona’s Hummus chef and owner, Will Elman, when I professed my love for hummus to him at Hops & Grain Brewing early last Summer. The moment I tasted Will’s recipe, I was in love. Ramona’s Hummus is thick, creamy, and heavy on the tahini. If you’re a hummus connoisseur, you’ll find Ramona’s hummus is more in line with a Israeli or Palestinian style of hummus. And it’s damn delicious.

Creamy, thick hummus

About Ramona’s Hummus

While chatting with Will over the course of many visits, I learned his hummus inspiration came from a friend’s Mom (Mona) who he refers to as the Queen of Hummus. The truck’s name is a nod to Mona, although Will developed his own hummus recipe which starts with dried beans that he soaks overnight before mixing with a few other secret ingredients.

Hummus and salad with soft-boiled eggs

Will, a self-taught cook, having only worked a few miscellaneous restaurant job, also developed his own pita recipe. It’s baked in a pizza oven at DeSano Pizzeria, creating a soft yet chewy pita, adding to its authentic flavor and making it the perfect accompaniment to the savory, thick hummus.

Fresh pita

What to Eat

Ramona’s Hummus Menu

My favorite Ramona’s Hummus menu item is the Hummus Bowl that comes with pita and cucumber salad. I typically add spiced chicken or an egg to round it out! The chicken is slightly spiced, just enough to add a bit of heat and pairs nicely with the cucumber salad. As for the egg, Ramona’s eggs are simply perfection and if you’ve never had an egg with hummus then you’re definitely missing out.

Hummus Plate with spice chicken

Salad Bowl with spiced chicken & egg, pita, mint lemonade

I also love the Hummus Bowl with Ramona’s gluten-free falafel for a full-vegetarian lunch! The falafel’s extra crispy on the outside but light and fluffy with a touch of spice on the inside from ancho chiles! YUM!

Hummus Bowl with gluten-free falafel

<3M loves the Pita Sandwich with Beef Shawarma (though, he often has a tough time deciding which is better — chicken or beef because they’re both seriously so delicious). The Pita Sandwich is packed caramelized onions, pickled veggies and a heavy serving of hummus in place of a sauce. <3M tops his with a hefty helping of Ramona’s homemade hot sauce, a fresh cilantro jalapeño mix!

Salad Bowl with walnuts, pumpkin seeds and pomegranate

Homemade hot sauce

If you’re looking for something a bit lighter or another veggie option, then the Hummus Salad is a great choice. Will mentioned the salad’s a big hit with the weekday office-lunch crowd! In the Hummus Salad, you get a little bit of everything — creamy hummus, cucumber salad, pickled veggies, plus some crunch and a bit of sweetness from walnuts, pumpkin seeds, and pomegranate arils! It’s a light mix of savory, tangy, and salty! You also have the option to add a protein or egg on the side! (DO IT!)

And to wash it all down, a tart mint lemonade blended fresh to order. Ahhh!

Ramona’s Hummus Salad Bowl

Where to Find Ramona’s Hummus

Like any food truck, Ramona’s Hummus is a wanderer. Your best bet is to check their website or Instagram page for exact locations and timings. But most weekends, you can find Ramona’s Hummus at a local brewery serving up lunch and dinner — just look for the big yellow truck with Ramona’s face. And when you’re there, say hi to Will — tell him Alyssa sent you.

Ramona’s Hummus Chef & Owner, Will Elman

GIVEAWAY

I’m giving away two sets BOGO cards to Ramona’s Hummus, open to all local residents. Just head on over to my Instagram page to enter! I’ll draw a winner on Saturday, January 20th!

Ramona’s Hummus
Food Truck – Austin, Texas
www.ramonashummus.com