Cenote (Austin)

Many say that breakfast is the most important meal of the day to boost your metabolism and overall mindset...but I beg to differ. During demanding days of meetings, classes or constant emails bombarding your inbox, lunch is my key to relieving stress and jumpstarting a productive afternoon.

Where do I recommend grabbing a fresh salad and cup of joe in the East Austin sunshine? None other than Cenote. The aqua house on Cesar Chavez will turn your quick lunch break into a colorful paradise either outside on the sunny patio, or inside in a coffeehouse, serene environment.

Every salad and sandwich on the menu looked wonderful; Brenna and I had trouble deciding, of course. We picked the cobb and the kale salads, both overflowing with vegetables and light vinaigrettes.  To drink, iced almond milk chai lattes were the best I've ever had of their kind.

To put it simply, we didn't want to leave. Cenote's patio is a destination for all of you, even if you only have time to pick up a drink or salad to-go. This little restaurant transforms the meanings of lunchtime and that midday break we all truly need...

Winflo (Austin)

Right across from my favorite seafood spot, Clark’s, sits an intimate Italian escape with romantic lights entwined in trees...The beaming reflection twinkles amidst West Sixth and lures foodies of all sorts to dreamily wine and dine.

We planned a girls dinner for the arrival of my little sister Julia, who was visiting Austin alone for the first time. Winflo’s menu is perfect for sharing with its brick-oven pizza selection and house-made pastas.

Brenna and I split the beet salad to start with sugared walnuts and goat cheese. The size was great for splitting and satisfying my palette before carb overload.

Megan and Rachel’s four-cheese pizza, or quattro formaggi with a fried egg, was my favorite dish of the spread! The egg wasn’t too overwhelming, but it complimented the cheeses so nicely. I’m getting that myself next time.

Our fettuccine al pesto with added shrimp had some of my favorite ingredients: portabellinis, basil and walnuts. BUT...the temperature was cold.  I should have sent it back, but Julia and I had already split the portion and did not want to cause a mess back in the kitchen.  Brenna’s black drum dish was unfortunately cold as well.  While the flavors were delicious, and the squid ink risotto had a great texture with olive and caper marinara on the side, we wish the plates had been hot off the stove instead of sitting on the counter waiting to be served!

I look forward to trying Winflo again soon for a date night or happy hour.  The atmosphere is too precious to pass up!

South Congress Café (Austin)

There's a reason why an hour-long wait arises within the first five minutes of unlocking the doors for weekend brunch at South Congress Café. The food, atmosphere and location are simply top-notch, flawlessly fusing together the trendiness of the restaurant's South Congress block and its classic menu and interior design.

First things first: the carrot cake french toast. If Giada de Laurentiis orders this exact dish during every visit to Austin, it must be nothing short of outstanding. So we ordered the entreé portion (our waiter failed to tell us that a side order option is available...oops) and split it among the three of us. We about died after the first bite. Dipped in a pecan cream cheese syrup, the carrot cake seems to be cooked in a bread pan and grilled french-toast style. It's bread-like but sweet and crumbly at the same time. I would go back just for this; and no, not just because of Giada.

Ashley's smoky pancetta and brie omelette was a menu special. The creamy cheese choice added a richer taste to a beautifully cooked omelette. The potato pancake side was a terrific spin on typical hash browns or breakfast potatoes.

My lemon & goat cheese pancakes with blueberry compote were appetizing yet odd. I thought the goat was a bit too overpowering and sour for a sweet cake; ricotta would've been much more enjoyable. The over-easy eggs and extra crispy bacon were delicious on the side.

Brenna's vegetarian egg-white omelette was the healthiest of our orders, but it was just as satisfying! The spinach, portabellos and artichokes soaked up immense flavor, and the added avocado is always a good move, in my opinion.

Let's be real: you cannot begin your day in SoCo on a better note than at South Congress Cafe. Carrot cake french toast, then antique shopping and some oysters for an afternoon snack on the Perla's patio? Count me in.

Foodheads (Austin)

Ever experience that summer-esque, porch-swing, lemonade and iced tea-filled fantasy that pops in your head on a warm afternoon? You know, that nostalgic escape from the brutal Austin heat?

Well, let me tell you: FoodHeads is just that escape.

FoodHeads serves the freshest and finest salads and sandwiches in town, especially if you're on-the-go or in need of an easy, breezy business lunch. I've never been displeased by the service or fare.

What to order? Well, I recommend basically anything on the menu. I've taken advantage of the half-and-half salad and sandwich combo with the grilled portabellas and bleu sandwich and Greek salad. 

My favorite salad is the steak & arugula salad with avocado and crumbled gorgonzola. The tuna nicoise comes in a close second. Happie subbed the gorgonzola for fresh goat cheese, which we agreed was a mighty fine move.

Last but not least: to drink, grab a red solo cup next to the counter and fill her up with an Arnold Palmer. There are multiple teas and lemonades available to mix and match!

Join the FoodHeads fan club and swing by this weekend. You'll be happy you did.

Épicerie (Austin)

I stepped inside, looked around, and was instantly enamored with the quaint, casual style of Épicerie Café & Grocery. The walls are lined with rosy bottles of wine, decadent chocolate bars and hand soaps for sale. The community tables are surrounded by high-end cheeses and meats, mason jars of hibiscus tea, and homemade sweets. I immediately decided I would not only come to épicerie to dine, but also to shop.

The counter-style ordering adds a touch of nonchalantness to the meal. A small and sophisticated menu, Laura (my favorite Austinite PR guru and owner of Striped Shirt) and I decided to split a few salads and small plates.

I had never seen fried gouda on a menu before--such a mark of creativity struck me! I loved the new take on fried mozzarella. The nuttier cheese enhanced the crushed cashews and sweet cherries on top.

The caesar (hold the anchovy) was wonderful. I never order this type of salad in fear of a creamy, heavy dressing on romaine. This version's light concept highlighted generous shavings of fresh parmesan.

The watermelon salad with quinoa & arugula had such gorgeous coloring and fine contrasts of texture. I moved my fork around the yogurt dressing at the bottom, which was sour and too creamy. But the fresh watermelon with toasted almonds was a delight.

I wish y'all could've witnessed my reactions to the salted chocolate chip and shortbread cookies. SO FREAKING GOOD. The chocolate chip cookie was dense and perfectly chewy. The shortbread was light and buttery, melting in my mouth with every bite. I could eat these all day long. If anything, check out épicerie for just a cup of coffee and one of these sweets!

Chef John Besh Takeover (Austin)

I'm so thrilled I got a taste of Austin's infamous Food & Wine Festival that takes place every Spring at Butler Park. I'm saving up the big bucks for next April as my last Austin-y event before Graduation, but last night was a perfect introduction to the conglomeration of culinary talent here in Austin.

As you all know, I'm a huge fan of New Orleans. I cannot wait to visit next month. Somehow, Chef John Besh's PR rep came across my blog due to my constant chatter about New Orleans and my membership in the Austin Food Blogger Alliance. John Besh is the owner of over half a dozen restaurants throughout the city of New Orleans (including Domenica in the Roosevelt Hotel and Luke). I recently learned that he opened a second Luke Restaurant on the San Antonio Riverwalk, which I cannot wait to try when my friends and I road trip in the fall.

The event Saturday night celebrated and promoted John Besh's newest culinary appearance in the state of Texas. His Luke menu was presented in food stations on the roof of Whole Foods and, man, was it fabulous. A New Orleans band in the background, super friendly staff, a breezy April sunset, and addicting cajun food...I could not have asked for a better last Saturday night in Austin before Summer.

Enjoy the photos (sorry there are so many!) and check out John Besh's skills. They're pretty unbeatable in this cuisine.

shrimp, cucumber, dill appetizer

shrimp boil with snap peas, potatoes, mushrooms and artichokes

peelin' em and eatin' em

great band.

freshly shucked oysters with crawfish potato salad, crawfish pasta

bananas foster masters