It all started with Portland. ‘Twas the place where I first set out on a quick visit to a city simply to dine. Eating Portland is what I called it, an adventure enjoyed with gal pals and stops at peachy locations, along with a bit of sightseeing, some walking, and tax-free shopping. It was then that, coming off of our Portland high, I knew I’d have to venture out to eat several other cities in the U.S.
Seattle was a contender, but after a spontaneous hallway chat at work with a hungry friend who enjoys travel, Austin would be the next victim of my appetite – a foodie haven like Portland, with the same motto of keeping the city weird. And I took on the challenge of eating the city with vigor, open to wherever my posse and I landed. So what was awesome?
Cocktail: The Floradora…
From 2nd Bar & Kitchen, a cocktail of gin (vodka is an option too), raspberry balsamic vinegar, and ginger beer welcomed me to the city right with its refreshing pungency, and the…
Side: Panzanella…
Also from 2nd Bar, a dish that reminded me how thrilling and surprising a corn dish can be. (Also amazing were the short rib and truffle fries and the Congress burger.)
Cocktail: The Indian Paintbrush…
which I read on someone’s blog was Austin’s signature drink (though the Austin peeps I mentioned it to knew nothing about it). The one I sipped in the relaxed and murky lounge at Garage proved herby and scintillating.
Dessert: 1886 Chocolate Cake served a la mode
Served at the 1886 Café, this cake, made using the Heritage Society of Austin’s original recipe, delivered the pure heart and soul of chocolate on a plate. We also got to ear hustle a few stories about three of the ghosts that haunt the Driskill Hotel, where the 1886 Café is housed.
Between 2 Slices of Bread: Jo’s Spicy Chicken Sandwich
It cleared my sinuses but the Spicy Chicken Sandwich from Jo’s Coffee made for a hearty bite on my flight back to the LBC. The chill Southern vibe at their SoCo location gave me a sense that there ain’t nothin’ wrong with sitting, waiting, especially when enjoying one of their…
Coffee: Belgian Bomber…
A less sweet version of Jo’s signature drink of coffee, espresso, cream, and chocolate – the Iced Turbo. Umm, yes – I went several hours without blinking the evening I drank it.
Cold Treat: Turtle Sundae…
A pre-dinner dessert I almost couldn’t part with from Amy’s Ice Creams despite an initial promise to myself that I’d only eat half, wanting to save room. The viscous chocolate sauce, the crunchy pralines, the Mexican vanilla – all too good to let go.
Brunch: Moonshine
We came across quite a few thick brunch queues, finally settling on Moonshine despite its wait of an hour and twenty (we might have earned a shorter wait by making it out earlier but a little event called Saturday night got in the way – thanks 6th Street). After stalling the wait with a short walk south for yummy lattes at Royal Blue Grocery, I found happiness on steroids when we were called inside and there to amaze me laid a pimped out brunch buffet. Faves on the table included their almond-topped French toast, the king ranch casserole, green chile cheddar grits, and a bite-sized buttermilk biscuit lathered (by me) with chipotle cream gravy. You know the food had to be amazing if we couldn’t quite finish our carafe of pomegranate mimosa.
New Experience: Uber
While my very first Uber ride proved unnecessary as, half a mile after being picked up, we were convinced by our driver to ditch our planned stop for sit-down Tex-Mex and instead get tacos from Torchy’s, just a short walk from where he’d picked us up on South Congress, the ease of the ride sold me on using vehicles for hire when traveling. Or whenever. And not only did he make our big, useless circle safe, turns out our driver was also wise in his recommendation. I enjoyed my second trip to Torchy’s where, this time, I correctly ordered the Mr. Orange (salmon) rather than the Mr. Pink (ahi – color confusion my first time there left me a little sad since I’m not much of a tuna gal), along with the Trailer Park (fried chicken) and the street corn (corn… creamy, kick-ass corn).
Morning Treat: Breakfast Tacos…
Served at Texas-famous Tacodeli, our penultimate stop on the Eating Texas tour. Though I make breakfast burritos on the weekly, I’d never considered such a concept as a morning taco. Excellent in its simplicity, my Freakin’ Vegan taco with black beans, avocado, and pico left me wanting more, and my Vaquero brought together many of my favorites – corn, roasted peppers, eggs, cheese, a sizzling bit of magic.
By the way, too stuffed from the long weekend to eat anything at our last stop, the Stubb’s Sweet Tea I sipped to pass the time between hotel checkout and our shuttle pick up made a soothing, seductive finish to our trip.
Beyond the eating, we also managed to tour the state capitol building, dance to (and dance like) Drake at a 20’s hotspot called Barbarella, join in on Austin’s AIDS Walk, cheer on the Texas Longhorns in their defeat of Kansas along with drunk bar fans, get advice from a homeless man on how to avoid a long wait at the Austin jail, have a newly legal backpacker from the Czech Republic sponsor a pitcher of Long Island Iced Tea for us (we watched to make sure it was roofie-free), join the many fit and nimble Austinites on a run along the Colorado River, hop on a saddle at the Austin Visitor’s Center, and get hounded by 6th Street bouncers about our weather-cautious attire (“Come on in, ladies. There are plenty of heaters inside so you can take off those scarves and heavy winter coats!” – we’ve now given ourselves the official name The Scarf Sisters).
So Austin sweetly and succulently delivered, keeping up well with its weird and tasty cousin in the Pacific Northwest. The only difficulty for us now is finding our next Scarf Sister locale.
Then again, it really won’t be too difficult at all.
2nd Bar + Kitchen
200 Congress Avenue
Torchy’s Tacos
The Trailer Park at 1311 S. First Street
and other Texas locations
Amy’s Ice Creams
1301 S. Congress
and other Texas locations
1886 Cafe & Bakery
604 Brazos Street
Garage Cocktail Bar
503 Colorado Street
Stubb’s BBQ
801 Red River
Jo’s Coffee
1300 S. Congress
and other locations
Tacodeli
4200 N. Lamar
and other locations
Moonshine
303 Red River Street
Royal Blue Grocery
51 Rainey Street, Suite 201
and other locations
Barbarella
615 Red River Street