Josephine House (Austin)

Austin's regularly bipolar weather perplexes me every morning as I open my window shades. Currently, it's grey, gloomy and "feels like" 35 degrees. Yesterday, I was working at Mozart's Coffee lakeside porch with 72-degree sunshine in a tank top (and I heard it was snowing in Memphis!). I know...I don't understand either.

To rewind a bit to this past gorgeously blissful weekend, I'll take you through my fabulous Saturday brunch at Josephine House. It is owned by the same mastermind behind Clarks, Jeffrey's, etc...so the bar is automatically high for a luxurious dining experience. The blue cottage personified sunshine in every gesture and detail. Our original reservation (which we needed to book days in advance) required outdoor seating; and having experienced ice less than 48 hours beforehand, we were nervous it'd be too chilly to enjoy! Much to our disbelief, we were grateful for the patio table as we basked in the sun and sipped on mimosas and rose pink palomas.

The mix of breakfast and lunch (hence...brunch) items was nicely balanced due to fine ingredient choices that screamed "Spring!" The nine grain pancakes were exquisitely plated with an oozing shadow of red cherry compote and drape of créme fraîche. I loved the thinness of the short stack, which provided a light and fluffy crépe technique instead of those burly cakes at Kerbey Lane Café that take over the entire plate.

The Josephine house burger is a whopping $18, but you'll understand why once you order it. The bun is a housemade, flaky english muffin that delicately soaks up the remnants of fried egg and crunchy bacon. The harissa aioli is a nice change from typical ketchup or mustard, and the greens on top make you feel like you're kind of eating a salad? Actually no, not really. It was fantastic.

My poached egg & quinoa was a colorful palette of beets, romanesco, carrots and greens. The egg yolk held the grain together nicely without overpowering the chili glaze. I enjoyed the combination of red and white quinoa; not only did it add color, but it added an extra depth of texture and taste. The two are very different, I learned!
Make your reservation for weekend brunch, and let's hope the Austin weather matches the warmth and beauty of this restaurant's classy approach upon your arrival!

Fabi + Rosi (Austin)

It's true; I found my new favorite date spot...with the girls, of course. I had heard raving reviews from my peers of the European kitchen's elegant yet eclectic dining experience, so I immediately reached out to Fabi + Rosi in hopes of booking a table for my roommates and me. We were mesmerized by the romanticism of the space, draped with metallic wallpaper and glowing crystal chandeliers. I was even more impressed with the menu -- rarely do I glance over a list of dishes without being adverse to at least one entreé choice. However, I found myself swooning over every dish. I truly think I would have been content with anything placed in front of me!

After a bottle of a beautiful, bold pinot gris was poured by our genteel server, we ordered a few appetizers to share. I'm a huge artichoke fan, so the steamed choke with lemon aioli sounded divine. We worked up our jaw muscles due to the vegetable being fairly undercooked, but a dunk in the aioli reestablished our pleased tastebuds. Never before have I ordered potato leek soup, but Ashley's was light enough to showcase the tender combination of starch and veggies rather than just heavy cream.

The entreé course was a clear home run across the table. My house made linguine with bechemel, foraged mushroom & crispy poached egg (further above) was rich but delightful. I could only bear to eat half, but luckily my girlfriends picked up the last few swirls of pasta left on the plate. Not pictured were some other favorites that I snuck a bite of: gilt-head bream (a flaky, mild Mediterranean white fish) with sweet potato gnocchi & kale, and the classic European dish of perfectly seasoned steak & frites. I usually push aside french fries unless they're from Hopdoddy or Clark's, but this restaurant's approach to the steak fry -- with truffle -- blew me away.
The unexpected, unanimous favorite was Mel's crepinette of a delicate Dewberry Hills chicken stuffed with chicken sausage (above). The airy potato puree riddled well with the poultry, and the sweet, colorful rotkraut truly put the bird on a whole new level.

We didn't have room for dessert, but we managed to order it anyway...typical. The crack pie with hooch cream was a funky take on a Momokuku inspiration. The oatmeal-based cookie pie was nutty and fantastically sweet. The sugarless whipping cream helped balance the sweetness of the pie. I wanted one to-go!
Ladies and gents, Fabi + Rosi should be your next destination for any occasion; but I will stress that this restaurant would be the perfect backdrop for this upcoming Valentine's Day. The entire menu will be available with walk-ins only, so dress up and head over there for a guaranteed fabulous meal!

Garbo's Lobster (Austin)

Lobster is a luxury -- we all concur. But when a state-of-the-art Maine lobster roll comes (or drives) your way for only $15, you drop everything and straight-up go for it. 

Garbo's has got it going on. 
Its tagline -- "From boat to bun"(so cute, I melted) -- and its fancy website make your mouth water instantaneously. The site shows the truck's location, which differs daily, and provides a map for super easy tracking. Hannah and I decided to go last Sunday where Garbo's would be parked at the Barton Creek Farmers Market. What a great vibe to that Austin market! Who wouldn't want to enjoy a lobster roll in the sun at a purple picnic table with live music in the background? It was perfection.
A limited but ample menu describes two styles: Connecticut and Maine. Also known as hot versus cold. Salad-styled versus simply buttery. Hannah and I agreed to try both and decide which we liked better. To be honest, they're both great but completely different. I preferred the warm, buttery Connecticut style with lemon and soft bun. It highlighted lobster for its pure goodness with no distractions. The Maine was fabulous too with very light mayo and chives, but I didn't appreciate it as much. One woman to the right of me was hands-down all about the Maine, and another man insisted on Connecticut.
My point? They both rock. It just depends on the flavor you're looking for. And luckily, Garbo's provides both! I can't wait to bring back more friends and keep the lobster craze going!

Franklin Barbecue (Austin)

Before you scroll further, read this: Franklin Barbecue is worth the wait. Even a six hour wait. Don't believe me? Step in line before 8:45 a.m. yourself.

You would think that 1700 pounds of meat could last a full day, but oh no -- the amount of meat has never lasted more than six hours at this establishment. In fact, we were in line right before the "Last Man Standing," the dreadful title for the last man or woman who is hypothetically "guaranteed" a plate of barbecue later in the day. All hungry trekkers behind the Last Man Standing must turn away in mourning and venture back to their cars. Only the lucky survive in the line to receive what I believe is the best Texas barbecue out there: Franklin Barbecue, recognized as the new "Trendy BBQ" by USA Today. My crew survived the cut.

Not to mention, my Memphis BBQ roots are evident -- I couldn't resist asking the Franklin manager if he had experienced Memphis' finest at Corky's (my favorite!). I was pleased to hear his response that Corky's, in fact, directly inspired the pulled pork menu item here in Austin. That's what I'm talking about, Memphis. A small world, indeed!

To draw you into our truly one-of-a-kind fete, I documented a timeline from entrance to exit. Feast with your eyes.

8:47 a.m.. We arrive, dismally realizing that we were not the only crew with the idea to camp out for barbecue during the early hours of a brisk yet sunny Saturday morning.

9:40 a.m. Nap time. Thank goodness we brought blankets.

10:38 a.m. We place our orders. By the time our hilarious waiter Dale met us in line, he informed us that only brisket and sausage remained. We were bummed but, nonetheless, ever-so determined.

11:34 a.m. Ashley and Hannah return to our spot with breakfast tacos from a nearby trailer. The simple egg, cheese and potato combination alleviated my hunger but simultaneously amplified my carnivorous craving...

2:05 p.m. As if we had just won the lottery, Erin and I are shockingly informed that all meats remained except for beef ribs. Naturally, we ordered a sampler of the rest: sausage, pork ribs, pulled pork, brisket and turkey. Sides of beans and cole slaw were a must. And, of course, we had to wash it down with some local Zoe brews. For the portion, the price was adequate - $16 for each of us isn't a bad deal at all!

2:17 p.m. We get our food. Yes -- six hours later. And yes, I have never been so thrilled for barbecue in my entire life. Erin and I both contended that the smoky sausage was our favorite with brisket as a close runner-up. If you aren't a red meat fan, still come for the turkey -- it was phenomenal and it ain't dry like your distant relatives' bird at Thanksgiving. The espresso barbecue sauce was my ultimate preference (especially over the brisket), although the juiciness of the meat was satisfying enough.

2:40 p.m. I leave with a full to-go box and a key lime hand pie intact. I guess it is inevitable that, after a full day in line, our eyes were bigger than our stomachs.

Have you experienced the Franklin line, too? If so, share your story! And if not, get up early and grab a spot for the ultimate Texas barbecue adventure.

Salty Sow (Austin)

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I apologize for my lack of critiques these past few weeks. It seems as if I’m too busy eating to write…but alas, I promise to write about Austin’s local flavor; and what better way to begin with the acclaimed Salty Sow. The dark wood interiors and lively hostesses create a vibrant evening spot, perfect for a Friday night date with Alex during his last visit to Austin. It is equally well-known for its 7-days-a-week happy hour menu, which I’m looking forward to trying soon with Hannah Marlowe!

The wood farm tables serve as aesthetic pedestals for local ingredients, bold reds, and damn good pork. Coming from a rabbi’s daughter, this claim goes in the books.

You will not find a cheese & charcuterie plate like Salty Sow’s anywhere else. Salamis and prosciuttos are expected, but smoked salmon rillete and chicken liver mousse (reminded me of a trendier version of my mom’s chopped liver) additions were fascinating. The cheese selection was top-notch.

We ordered the tangy brussels sprout Caesar as a side dish, but it’s enough for a full entrée salad portion. I did not expect dried cranberries and pecorino or a tangy vinaigrette approach to the Caesar dressing, but I enjoyed the contrasts. Alex wished it had a more traditional approach, but I don’t think tradition is in Salty Sow’s vocabulary.

For the entrees, the braised pork shoulder rocked. I didn’t even need a knife. The white bean, escarole and pecorino base was lovely. Alex’s candied pork belly with soy balsamic syrup and collard greens was a massive steak cut. The dish was perfectly sweet and savory at the same time.

Here, you will not only get the most bang for your buck, but you will leave feeling full, content and super Austin-y. Nowhere speaks more local truths than this joint.

Easy Tiger (Austin)

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Never before had I encountered an Austin dining spot with a menu and atmosphere for every kind of eater at any time (except between the hours of 2 and 7 a.m., during which I hope you'd be sleeping).
It's a bakery; it's a coffee shop; it's a beer garden; it's a bar; it's a happy hour hot spot... Easy Tiger is whatever you want it to be.
When you walk into the brick bake shop on East Sixth, you'll be greeted by rows of beautiful baguettes and the rich aroma of loaves--perfectly hand-shaped loaves--in ovens behind the glass window. Walk down the stairs, and you'll find a pub-like bar with both indoor and patio seating for parties of all sizes.
The menu is simply fantastic. I've heard from friends that the turkey avocado sandwich is divine, especially when finished off with a chocolate chunk cookie from upstairs. Last Saturday night, however, we began our meal with a few draft beers and handmade salted pretzels with beer cheese. Yes, the pretzel was larger than my head; and yes, I could have eaten two of them if Alex hadn't graciously cut me off.

The Italian beef sandwich on toasted ciabatta was filled with warm carved roast beef, in-house picked vegetables and a touch of crumbled bleu cheese. The portion was huge, but I enjoyed every bite I could.
Our evening at Easy Tiger was a satisfying early dinner before a concert at Stubb's, but I am seriously looking forward to beginning my day with an espresso and croissant before work or class. It's happening soon, I assure you.