Austin Food Report

I went to Austin for a conference. I was very excited to go because of the food aspect (well OK I learned a bunch of stuff at the conference too). I had tried to scope out some places before I went but it was difficult to narrow the options. So I just decided to wing it.

We started out at Moonshine Grill. I had a pimento cheese burger on a nice brioche-style bun. It was excellent. The roasted Brussels Sprouts just fully rounded out the meal. There was no room for dessert.

I don't really drink wine - so what was I doing in a wine bar - for the cheese of course. Cru Wine Bar had wonderful choices of cheese platter - 4 in total. I had a difficult time choosing. I opted for the Sinful Experience. Mt Tam cheese from the Cowgirl Creamery (which I had read really good things about), Ribiola and a Delice de Jura. All soft, ooey, gooey cheeses. Very tasty. Served with grapes, honey, bread, and sliced apple and pear. A nice Belgium beer rounded it all out.

Next on the list was La Traviata (couldn't find their website but found this instead).  I had the ravioli in a lovely cream sauce. Again no room for dessert (I know I'm such a light weight).

I've saved the best for last - which was actually the last night I was in Austin. Fixe - so named because you will need your "fix" and come back. Well I must say I'm addicted. Since I picked up a fellow foodie along the way - we shared two appetizers - the oysters and Carnivore grits. The oysters were delicious - with a little fried zucchini? and almond gazpacho.

The Carnivore grits came with quail and mascarpone cheese - need I say more. We actually started out with the biscuits that were so light and fluffy I can only aspire to make such a great biscuit. They were served with a sausage spread and blueberry preserves. It was a great sweet/savory contrast.

I had the grouper that was stuffed with crab, pickled garlic with lardo over the top in a veloute sauce.

This time there was room for dessert. Based on the other food I knew I had to squeeze that dessert in no matter what. Since we were once again indecisive on the dessert - we shared the Sticky Toffee cake (with soft cheese and ice cream) and the Zucchini tres leche.

Sticky Toffee Cake

That's not a sailboat - it's a meringue

 

We also stopped at Amy's ice cream in the airport - Belgium chocolate with hot fudge. How could you possibly go wrong?? I left Austin with a very full belly and a good taste in my mouth.