Restaurants

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

Merit Coffee: Austin’s new, modern downtown coffee shop

January 3, 2018 by Alyssa

Austin’s new downtown coffee shop, Merit Coffee, is modern and inviting while serving up rich coffee and fresh pastries from San Antonio’s Bakery Lorraine.

It seems like the ‘in’ thing right now is to a hard-core coffee lover. I’m talking about those people who spend a ridiculous amount of money on a bag of beans, wake each morning to grind them fresh, and then patiently wait for a french press to finish brewing just to have their first cup of coffee in the morning.

I am none of those people.

I love me a good K-cup and my favorite coffee comes pre-ground, in bulk at HEB. In fact, sometimes I even brew a pot on Sunday, refrigerate it, then drink it over the course of the next few days as iced coffee or by reheating it in the microwave. (The horror, I know!)

But, with all that said, I do appreciate a good coffee shop.

And the other day, I stopped by the new Merit Coffee located in the Seaholm Center and absolutely loved this new-to-Austin coffee shop!

Merit, previously Local Coffee, is originally from San Antonio where the company has multiple locations. When I walked into Merit during my first visit, I instantly knew this shop would fit right in with the Austin culture.

Merit Coffee is simple, not at all over overwhelming and includes the basics of any great coffee shop. The interior was bright and full of natural light with modern finishes.

It’s an inviting space for anyone who likes to linger over a cup of coffee to chat with a friend or wants to settle in with their laptop to get a little work done. Many people were lounging in the shop and at the multiple outdoor tables around the coffee shop. I definitely see Merit Coffee being a buzzing place for those near Seaholm or visiting the new Austin Central Libray.

The best part in my opinion though, are the baked goods Merit Coffee is serving up from San Antonio’s Bakery Lorraine like beautiful macaroons and toaster pastries (fancy pop-tarts to us laymen)! And obviously, Merit couldn’t come to Austin without adding a local touch! The shop’s also offering TacoDeli breakfast tacos and juice from Juice Society.

On one visit, I snagged a classic cold brew coffee from Merit Coffee and a strawberry toaster pastry from Bakery Lorraine! (Pro-tip, ask the barista to warm up your pastry, you won’t regret it!). Although I’m no coffee expert, I loved the cold brew with a splash of cream — smooth, silky and delicious!

The Bakery Lorraine hand pie was sweet and buttery from the pastry while the frosting was thick with the classic pop-tart shell we all remember from our childhood. This treat was a definite indulgence that was oh, so worth it and much more refined than the classic pastry I grew up eating.

Another day, I grabbed a Hippy Bar and a classic batch coffee. The batch wasn’t anything mindblowing but the Hippy Bar was delicious! It’s hearty with a touch of peanut butter and dried fruits. Though still a treat, it was a bit on the healthier side in comparison to the toaster pastry and something I’m craving more of now!

If you’re in the area, I highly recommend checking out Merit Coffee for a sip and a treat! I know I’ll find myself back at Merit Coffee soon to relax with a cup of coffee and another Bakery Lorraine Hippy Bar!

Merit Coffee
222 West Ave #120
Austin TX, 78701
(512) 906-0266
www.meritcoffee.com

Barley Swine Chef’s Tasting & Our Holiday Tradition

December 27, 2017 by Alyssa

The Chef’s Tasting at Barley Swine is a must for Austin foodies! It pairs Austin’s culinary creativity with the city’s laid-back, local culture. It’s an evening full of great food, friendly service, and will leave you wanting to come back again and again.

Without any family in Austin, <3M and I have started making our own Christmas traditions and one of them is to head to Barley Swine to enjoy the 10-course Chef’s Tasting. It’s something he and I really look forward to each December, knowing it will be a night of great food, good wine, and friendly service. We also love comparing our meals from year to year and get excited to taste the latest menu.

View of the Barley Swine Kitchen

Barley Swine’s Chef, Bryce Gilmore, & his kitchen are also very accommodating to specific food preferences which makes the meal even more special as the menu avoids fish for <3M while ensure I don’t receive any beef & pork.

His and her custom menus

<3M and I typically do the Chef’s Tasting on Christmas Eve, but this year, Barley Swine chose to close on Christmas Eve to allow their staff to spend more time with their own friends and family, so Mayank and I chose to have our special dinner on Saturday, December 23rd.

We started the meal with a glass of sparkling rose — because it always feels a bit fancy and I love starting a great meal with a special glass of bubbly. We also asked our server, Cruze (spelling?), if we could take the meal a bit slower than the normal pace as <3M and I I really like to enjoy the food, each other’s company, and watch the kitchen.

If you’re a fan of watching your food being assembled and seeing a variety of dishes, ask to be seated at the Chef’s Counter when making your reservation at Barley Swine — and yes, always make a reservation for dinner, they’re quite busy!

Cruze was great the entire night and 100% accommodating to our request for a super slow meal. He had a few bottle recommendations for us and brought us a tasting of each.

If you ever want to explore wine outside your comfort zone, I highly suggest doing a blind tasting then picking the bottle of wine that spoke to you most.

<3M and I did a blind tasting at Barley Swine and ended up choosing Mocavero Puteus, Negroamoro blend which is far from my typical California Cabernet Sauvignon pick. We loved it and it paired nicely with each course throughout the meal.

Chef, finishing up the plating

Once we had settled in for the evening with drinks, the tasting began!

Although there are 10 courses, the plates are well portioned and while we always leave feeling full, we never leave feeling like we just wrapped a Thanksgiving dinner which is more of a marathon of eating! Here’s a look at our menu!

Garden Cookies

Spanish mackerel, turnip slaw

Shishito pepper, onion dip – Best shishito I’ve ever had, it was such a wonderful sweet & spicy pairing!

Chicken Skin, deviled egg – How can you not love fried chicken skin with deviled egg filling?

Sweet Potato, brown butter, ricotta, seeds – I really loved all the seeds in here and the crisp bites of sweet potato

Creamed cabbage hand pie – my favorite dish of the evening. The pastry was out of this world perfection!

Red snapper, mushroom butter, bok choy

Grilled quail, carrot, pecan – such a unique preparation of quail, it’s a quail leg stuffed with sausage.

Oyster mushroom, potato, green bean – I loved the potato here and the meaty mushrooms!

Apple, lemongrass, chevre – I thought I’d love this but it was probably my least favorite of the night which doesn’t mean it wasn’t good, I simply had high expectations when reading the dish’s flavor combination on the menu.

Spiced sfingi, espresso, butternut squash — The espresso here was so mellow and paired nicely with the light sweetness of the squash. And in case you didn’t know, sfingi is a little Italian donut-like pastry!

I love all the pickled vegetable decor. There’s something so wonderful about food decorations.

Although <3M and I typically visit Barley Swine in December, they have an awesome menu year-round that changes with the season. I recommend visiting and checking out some of the menu items during their Swine Time happy hour Sunday-Friday from 5:00-6:30pm! It’s a great way to indulge on a budget while still enjoying Barley Swine’s culinary creations!

Barley Swine
6555 Burnet Rd #400
Austin, TX 78757
(512) 394-8150
Chef’s Tasting – $95

Bee Delightful: CBD-Infused Dinner Pop-Up

August 8, 2017 by Alyssa

The Bee Delightful dinner pop-up featured a CBD-infused menu and highlighted the benefits of CBD-lifestyle products while benefiting local Austin bees.

This past weekend I had the opportunity to attend the Bee Delightful Dinner pop-up as a guest of Chef Preston Day who is also the Chief Operating Officer at Bee Delightful. Bee Delightful is an Austin based honey producer that makes a CBD-infused honey called Rescue Blend™ of Canna Bees™. The dinner featured a CBD-infused menu, which highlighted the benefits of CBD-lifestyle products with all ticket proceeds benefitting local Austin bees.

If you aren’t familiar with CBD, it’s a cannabinoid derived from Cannabis plants like marijuana and hemp, with CBD oil from hemp being 100% legal in Texas. Although similar to THC, the psychoactive ingredient found in marijuana, CBD does not produce a ‘high’ but does emphasize relaxation without any form of bodily impairment. CBD is touted to offer many benefits —

serving as an antidepressants
reducing anxiety
acting as an anti-inflammatory
aiding in relaxation
reducing chronic pain

Bee Delightful is an inspiring company that rescues honeybee hives at-risk of extermination and safely transplants them to their sanctuary in Liberty Hill. Bee Delightful then uses treatment-free, organic farming to harvest the rescued honey to make their hemp-infused honey, Rescue Blend™ of Canna Bees™.

As the sponsor of the event, many of the menu items featured Canna Bees™ honey which you can purchase locally at Thom’s Market or LazyDaze in Austin. While at the event, I had the opportunity to try the differentCanna Bees™ honey varietals with the rich Wildflower Honey being my favorite! It’s so good and I’m tempted to use it in my own recipe for Honey Lavender Sugar Cookies!

Without truly knowing what to expect from the CBD-infused menu by Chef Tiffani Janelle and Chef Preston Day, each bite I had Saturday night far from exceeded any expectations I could have imagined. The menu was fresh, innovative, and delicious. The venue itself was gorgeous — set to the backdrop of East Austin while incorporating local art, beautiful table settings, and a welcoming, warm environment. Below is a glimpse of my evening and a sampling of the event’s menu:

Table Settings with the evening’s menu

Chef Preston Day & Chef Tiffani Janelle

Infused Popsicles, a wood-burned, and CBD-infused snacks

Sticky Salmon Ribs & Bang Bang Prawns

Deviled Eggs Two Ways, one with Korean Short Rib

Korean Fried Chicken with Texas potato salad & kimchi, Cocktail infused popsicles

My night with Bee Delightful was one of my favorite events so far this year and something I can only hope to partake in again in the future. Thank you to Bee Delightful and Preston Day for the opportunity to learn, eat, relax, and save the bees.

Greek Yogurt, Canna Bees Honey & Raspberry Popsicle

I received an invitation to the Bee Delightful dinner in exchange for a post.
All opinions and photos are my own.

Iron Cactus: Summertime Dining

July 29, 2017 by Alyssa

Summertime dining options at Iron Cactus star seasonal ingredients, perfect margaritas, and decadently delicious desserts!

I received a complimentary meal at Iron Cactus. All opinions and images below are my own.

The first time I moved to Austin was in February 2011 (yes, I moved here twice…) and the very first restaurant I dined at upon arriving was Iron Cactus on Stonelake Boulevard in North Austin. It was my first taste of Mexican food outside of New York’s chain restaurants I grew up eating (Taco Bell). It was such a special moment in my life, moving to Austin, that I even remember what I ate at Iron Cactus for dinner that night — Ahi Tuna Salad with a side of chips & queso, of course!

It was such a special moment in my life, moving to Austin, that I even remember what I ate at Iron Cactus for dinner that night — Ahi Tuna Salad with a side of chips & queso, of course!

When I lived in North Austin, <3M and I used to visit Iron Cactus on date nights (when we could afford it…we were poor, fresh-out-of-college kids at the time!) but since moving to South Austin about 5 years ago, we haven’t been back. Not because we didn’t enjoy the food or drinks, but simply because ‘out of sight, out of mind.’

When Iron Cactus reached out with an invitation to join them in celebration of their Summer menu that starred fresh corn and seasonal crab, I couldn’t help but say yes! <3M and I were excited to reminisce about our past life and see if Iron Cactus lived up to all its initial ‘new-to-Austin’ glory!

For our meal, <3M and I were each treated to a 3-course selection plus drinks. Below are my thoughts on the meal with a few truly drool worthy photos!

We started our meal with a couple margaritas. I enjoyed the El Perfecto margarita and happily ordered round 2 when I quickly sucked down my first glass. <3M went fancy with his drink and ordered a frozen mango margarita.

Although I love mango myself, I wasn’t a huge fan of the mango puree as it was too sweet for me. But, if you don’t enjoy the flavor of tequila or prefer sweeter drinks, then this margarita is perfect for you!

<3M and I shared the two appetizers, Crab Stuffed Jalapeños & Picadillo Purses. The Crab Stuffed Jalapeños had a kick to them but the cream cheese filling smoothed out the heat of the pepper. I was also pleased to find the crab to be a prevalent flavor that wasn’t lost among the spice & cheese.

The Picadillo Purses weren’t our favorites and both <3M and I preferred the Crab Stuffed Jalapeños. The purses reminded me of a shepherd’s pie stuffed into a wonton wrapper with the ground beef and specs of corn. I felt the star of this appetizer was the sauce. It left me wishing we had a bit of bread to dip it in because it was that delicious.

For dinner, <3M ordered the Pollo Relleno chicken which was stuffed with the tastiest cornbread ever and topped with a jalapeño cream sauce that made my mouth all sorts of happy! I had serious order envy when I tasted <3M’s dinner and definitely took more than a few tasting bites from his plate.

For my meal, I ordered the Hickory Grilled Salmon. This dish was delicious but I was surprised overall as I was expecting a lighter meal based on the menu description.

My favorite part about this dish was the fresh succotash with asparagus, corn, and hearty chunks of crab meat throughout. The salmon was cooked perfectly, the waiter even asked my preference when taking the order! Although I truly enjoyed the jalapeño cream sauce on the Pollo Relleno, I was wishing for more freshness and something not quite as heavy to pair with the salmon. Overall, still a great entree!

When it came to dessert, I couldn’t decide which I liked best. The presentations were out of this world stunning. Almost too pretty to eat. Almost.

I loved the Margarita Key Lime Tartlet for its crumbly, nutty crust and tart lime filling but the Dulce De Leche Cheesecake, made with boñuelo crust (which we learned from our host, Victoria, is like crispy fried dough) was so decadent, creamy, and perfectly sweet — and this coming from a girl who usually doesn’t like cheesecake!

I truly enjoyed our meal at Iron Cactus North and it brought back wonderful memories from my first few weeks in Austin. My advice for your visit is to start with their El Perfecto margarita (with salt of course) and save room for dessert because both options we tried, the Dulce De Leche Cheesecake and Margarita Key Lime Tartlet, were out of this world delicious!

Many thanks to Iron Cactus and its staff for a great night out!

Vert’s Mediterranean Spring Plant-Powered Dinner + Giveaway

March 7, 2017 by Alyssa

This post was updated on March 15th, 2017 with giveaway winner.

I attended the Spring Plant-Powered dinner as a guest of Vert’s Mediterranean Grill. All opinions are my own and I was not asked by Vert’s to share this experience, I’m doing so because I truly enjoy dining there!

Vert’s Mediterranean Grill’s Spring Plant-Powered dinner showcased culinary creativity, featuring flavor Spring ingredients!

What do you think of when you think Vert’s Mediterranean Grill?

I used to think of Mediterranean food in a Chipotle-esque type atmosphere. A ‘choose your own adventure’ type meal — whether it be bowl, wrap, or salad where you mix in your favorite protein, toppings and sauces. The end result was always great food, that’s super filling, super fresh, and super flavorful. Believe it or not, Vert’s Mediterranean Grill is seriously the only fast-food (fast-casual) restaurant I’ll eat it (ask <3M — there’s no BK, Wendy’s or Whataburger in our life).

Vert’s Plant-Powered Tablescape

Based on my above confession, it’s obvious that I love Vert’s Mediterranean Grill but last month, I had a significantly different experience at Vert’s when I was invited to their Spring Plant-Powered dinner at their test kitchen near the UT Campus. This experience solidified my love for Vert’s Mediterranean Grill! It also reinforced how much Vert’s cares about ingredients, culinary creativity, and the overall dining experience!

Plant-Powered Menu

Simply walking into the dinner last month, I knew the entire meal experience was going to be different than previous ventures into Vert’s. <3M & I were greeted with a glass of sparking rose that I couldn’t put down the entire night — Graham Beck Brut Rose might be a new favorite and one I’m still craving today! When looking around the restaurant, I noticed that the tablescapes were beautifully decorated to match the Plant-Powered theme with eucalyptus leaves, seasonal vegetables like bright purple cabbage & beets, and elegant floating votives.

Vert’s also amped up individual place settings with earthy, wooden plate chargers, gold sparkly placemats, gold utensils and the world’s prettiest geo-shaped napkin rings! Each setting was personalized with place-cards written in gold paint on a real leaf. They truly went above and beyond to set the tone for this meal — classy, yet fresh and comforting and of course, delicious.

Grapefruit and Holy Basil Gin & Tonic / Marinated Olives & Carrots / Black Eye Pea Hummus

I truly enjoyed the Spring Plant-Powered dinner at Vert’s Mediterranean. With each dish I sampled, I was beyond impressed with how Vert’s elevated their culinary creations — it was like nothing I had experienced at a ‘fast-food’ restaurant before! Vert’s chefs added a sous vide duck egg to the top to their babaganoush and while they egg looked softly poached, it was actually fully cooked and a decadently creamy spread on their warm pita bread!

Babaganoush with Duck Egg

Beet Tartare with Fried Goat Brie Rine

I also enjoyed the fact that Vert’s chefs chose elevated ingredients like morels for their turkey meatballs. They also introduced zhug, an ingredient the other food bloggers and I weren’t at all familiar with, but now know as a type of Mediterranean hot sauce made with parsley. I personally found it similar to chutneys served with Indian cuisine.

Turkey & Mushroom Meatballs with Zhug

To end the meal, the chefs tackled jackfruit for a vegan take on the braised pork Vert’s typical serves in its restaurants. Although not my favorite dish, and executed a tad differently than other jackfruit meals I’ve enjoyed, it was still admirable and unique and I especially liked the chickpeas!

Braised Jackfruit & Butternut Squash

Overall, I can’t say enough about how much I enjoyed Vert’s Mediterranean Grill’s Spring Plant-Powered dinner. It truly spoke volumes to how much Vert’s cares about the culinary process, the type of food they serve their customers, and the importance of offering quality, delicious menu items. This meal was obvious an inspiration for new menu items to come to Vert’s restaurants in the future and I can’t wait to see what they roll out with this Spring & Summer.

#GIVEAWAY — Now Closed

If you haven’t tried Vert’s Mediterranean Grill yet, then here’s your chance! Leave a comment below telling me about your favorite Spring vegetable, your favorite restaurant or a meal you recently enjoyed! Next week on March 14th, I’ll pick a random winner to receive 2 Free Vert’s Mediterranean Grill Meal Cards!

Updated March 17th, 2015: Giveaway winner is Samantha, she’s been contacted to receive her prize.

Kerbey Lane Spring Menu Tasting

February 5, 2017 by Alyssa

Full disclosure: I attended a menu tasting at Kerbey Lane and received a complimentary tasting. All opinions are my own.

Kerbey Lane is an Austin staple. But in most people’s minds (and previously my own) Kerbey Lane is a breakfast or brunch hot spot. But dinner? It’s probably not a top choice for a great evening meal and a few drinks.

Well, for <3M and I, Kerbey Lane may soon become our new weeknight dinner joint! A few weeks ago, I was invited to the Kerbey Lane Spring Menu tasting where <3M and I worked our way through a majority of the menu, raving about each of the dishes we tried!

On top of the fantastic food, we also found out that Kerbey Lane has a great wine and beer selection at the best happy hour prices I’ve seen around town!

My recommendation, grab a drink and dive into one of Kerbey Lane’s seasonal menu offerings! You won’t regret it and I guarantee you Kerbey Lane will become much more than your go-to hangover spot.

My personal favorite from Kerbey Lane’s Spring Menu was the Naked Chile Rellano — it’s a healthier version of Chile Rellano.

Naked Chile Rellano

The stuffed pepper is roasted rather than deep fried and rather than a smothering of cheese, this had a sprinkling of blue cheese & cotija, all set in a sour cream sauce. It was also served with huge slices of avocado and cilantro rice which I couldn’t get enough of!

Naked Chile Rellano

<3M’s favorite of the evening was the Jalapeno Bacon Mac & Cheese Bites — deep fried Mac & Cheese stuffed with spicy jalapenos and bursting with bacon.

The Mac & Cheese Bites were served with a spicy jalapeno sauce — much like the Dona Sauce all of Austin’s TacoDeli fans are obsessed with. Spice + Cheese+ Bacon = Yum!

I also enjoyed the Corn Chowder which was light and not too thick with a great sweet corn taste! The grilled corn on top was also a great added touch!

Corn Chowder

Much of the Spring Menu highlights beef or brisket so here’s a few other favorites from our evening tasting of Kerbey Lane’s Spring Menu!

Brisket Nachos

Brisket Mac & Cheese

Brisket Hash

Achiote Beef Tacos