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

Sway (Austin)

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For months, Brenna and I wondered what the heck that pink flower meant. Elizabeth Street and Gourdough's are its restaurant neighbors down on First Street, but the ominous black building's store front remained unmarked.

Recently, from word of mouth, I learned that the building was, in fact, a restaurant! Of course I had to check it out.

Sway, a modern Thai restaurant, brings a funky twist to a traditional style. The community tables gave the restaurant a cozy vibe, although Brenna and I were extremely frustrated that the majority of tables were reserved for parties of 10+ guests (their only call-ahead policy).  I also loved the zen garden/wrap-around patio. 

After thirty minutes of sipping on Asian beer and people watching, we snagged two seats at the bar. And thank goodness we did, because a two hour wair was not working for my appetite. Get ready to wait, people.

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I have always believed that Austin lacks in the Asian cuisine (outside of the hip sushi and Japanese styles). At Sway, they really work to provide a menu of traditional flavors and savory sauces that remind me of my favorite Chinese restaurant in Memphis.

But Sway takes it up a notch, of course. Their diverse menu (and not-too-expensive prices) could please almost anyone!

We started with po-pea jay, also known as rice paper spring rolls with avocado and vegetables. So fresh. My favorite part was the sweet and sour sauce on the side!

You've gotta order the shu mai.  It's made to order, and texture of the dumpling wrap with a crunch of cold cucumber is divine. The steamed dumplings are filled with a mixture of crab, shrimp and trout.  And, again, this sauce is delicious, even though it's a bit spicier than I expected.

Not pictured is the traditional pad thai, made with HUGE blue prawns (almost like little lobsters), tofu, egg, cashew and bean sprout. The amount of peanut sauce was just right (I usually have to ask for an extra side at other restaurants to avoid dryness). I loved Spay's spin on the dish.

You also won't find the blue crab fried rice anywhere else. Giant pieces of crabmeat, snow peas, egg, thai basil. We didn't leave any leftovers...let's just put it that way.

Go try Sway on South First when you have some time on your hands, and let me know what you think!

George's (Alys Beach)

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George's is located in Alys Beach, a grecian-like neighborhood of beach houses with all white exteriors and unbelievable architecture. The angles and simplicity make me feel like I'm in Europe! George's is a tiny cafe right off the highway filled with a warm staff and small but satisfying menu. The left side of the menu is entitled "mis-be-have" for your sandwich with fries option, while the right side reads "be-have" for salads and the healthy works. The dishes, therefore, can make even the pickiest of eaters happy! And who cares about misbehaving when it comes to eating...right?!

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thai beef and noodle salad

crab cake remoulade roll

Our family opted to try entrees from all over the menu. Dad got the famous grilled grouper sandwich that magazines say "you must eat before you die." Julia and her friend Dena got the best burger on 30A. I tried the crab cake remoulade roll with bacon. I ended up taking the remoulade off, but I really enjoyed the fried green tomato on top. Mom ordered the thai beef and noodle salad with avocado and mango. The thai peanut dressing was awesome - I could've ordered an extra side of it! We also got the G.A.S.P. (garlic, artichoke, sun-dried tomato, pesto) in a pita with a side of nutty kale cous cous with honey and almonds. Our plates were clean by the end of the hour!

warm chocolate goo with vanilla gelato

key lime pie

candy bar mini cake

But how could we ignore dessert...Julia insisted on the warm chocolate goo, which turned out to be a simply darn good brownie. The homemade key lime pie was a classic. My favorite was the candy bar mini cake. The owner, Anne, told us that she spent two full Sundays after tasting a similar dish in NYC. The cake consists of snickers, rolos, heath bar, oreo, and reese's.

Interested yet?! Good.

Clark's Oyster Bar (Austin)

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Walk through these doors on a sunny afternoon, and you've entered California paradise.  Clark's, the "baby brother" of Perla's (it's less than a year old!), quickly became my family's new favorite for seafood and sophistication.  It's in a hoppin' location on West Sixth and equates its dining experience to a maritime yacht club.  How picturesque is that?! Put on your shades and Vineyard Vines and step into a beachside bliss.

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The photos speak for themselves, but these dishes deserve some caramelized praise.

Our waiter gave us a "northeastern sampler" of our oysters on the half shell.  To be honest, I'm not fancy enough to taste the difference between these oysters; once they're doused in cocktail sauce, Massachusetts and Maine are the same to me. But, let me tell you: these oysters were good.

The wood grilled shrimp toast was unlike any other shrimp dish I've had - the shrimp mix was literally baked into the Texas toast. Delish.  And, of course, we couldn't go wrong with the lobster roll, a simple sandwich with succulent lobster, bibb lettuce and a buttery bun.

The wood-grilled brussel sprouts were too spicy for my momma, but I loved the sliced and skewered presentation.  I didn't have time to photograph the grilled cheese with sofrito because my brother Jake ate it too quickly.  Yep, it was that good.

I hope your Clark's experience is as delightful as ours was!

Olive and June (Austin)

When Hannah and her sweet mother invited me to Olive & June for dinner last Thursday night, I could not have been more excited to eat a delicious Italian meal with a great group! Our dinner was a lovely kickoff to our sorority's Mom's Weekend - three days of nonstop food and family fun. Look out for another critique of Clark's Oyster Bar, coming soon!

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Olive & June was warm, spacious and beautifully candlelit. The scene was more than appropriate for an intimate date or family gathering. We were surrounded by couples, girls' nights out and families with adorable babies. The dark wood and dish cloth napkins showed the comfortable twist to a sophisticated space.

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Our waiter first offered freshly baked, sea-salt encrusted focaccia with homemade ricotta. Yes, please. Keep scrolling for the most fabulous dishes I've had in a while....

We loved the seafood frito misto with arugula and lemon - the jumbo shrimp, calamari and fish were somehow flash fried so lightly, that you could barely see the breaded layer. It provided the perfect crunch without overwhelming the seafood. Zucchini involtini was my personal favorite; not just because it had mushrooms, but because the choice of ingredients and presentation were so creative. The mushrooms were pureed with pine nuts, almost like a pesto (not like the one I attempted in December), and wrapped in thin strips of zucchini. The tomatoes and golden raisins were both citrus-y, but provided completely contrasting textures and flavors. So interesting and so freaking yum.

Brenna and I ordered two entrees to split - my favorite way to order at any restaurant, as you may know. The whole wheat ravioli was a winner; stuffed with goat cheese and sprinkled with pistachios, the rich flavor of the filling balanced well with a light olive oil and parmesean topping.  Spring risotto was also a delicious choice.  We ordered it without proscuitto to truly highlight the sweat peas and asparagus with savory mascarpone cheese.

Hannah and her mom also ordered the grilled branzino with citrus and hazelnut. While I didn't get a bite myself, the fish was cooked to perfection and paired well with grapefruit segments and watercress. For sides, the four of us chose the baked eggplant with mozzarella and roasted baby beets, served family style. Both were unbelievable.

Hungry yet? Make a reservation soon and enjoy the beauty of North Italy right here in Austin.

Cochon (New Orleans)

With Superbowl Sunday this past weekend and Mardi Gras in full swing, I simply cannot get my mind off of New Orleans, Louisiana.  I miss the city, its unmatched spirit and delicious diversity of food.  I have not been back to New Orleans since early January, but I can still taste the savory flavors that Cochon offered us on New Years Day.

So now, in honor of this month's festivities in good ole Louisiana, here's a critique of the yummiest spot in town.

Cochon has been recognized as one of New Orlean's Top 10 restaurants for years now, so I had to give it a shot. I wasn’t disappointed.

Warning: If you are a vegetarian, do not go to this restaurant.  Cochon means pig; and boy, does this restaurant hold true to its name. But you’ll leave happy as a pig!

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Extremely laid back and rustic, the southern comfort was in the air. We were sandwiched between two other couples at a teeny-tiny wooden table—and while I was uncomfortable at first with how closely the tables were placed, I soon got over it. Because all I could focus on was the food.

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Our eyes were bigger than our stomachs, so please don’t judge! I had to order enough to sample for my wonderful readers, so let’s just use that as the reason why Alex and I ordered such a quantity for only two.

yummy yeast rolls to start. | photo credit

wood-fired oyster roast | photo credit

For starters, we chose the wood-fired oyster roast and smoked pork ribs with a watermelon pickle. I also had to get the pork & black eyed pea gumbo—why, might you ask? Well, it was New Years Day…so I had to eat black eyed peas for good luck!

smoked pork ribs with watermelon pickle | photo credit

I chose the oven-roasted gulf red fish “fisherman’s style” for my entree. The portion was outrageous, but the preparation had just the right amount of seasoning with pickled onion and lemon on the side. It was a simple and light entrée, which is what I needed after so many starters. 

red fish "fisherman's style" | photo credit

dumplings and mac.

Alex ordered the opposite: rabbit and dumplings. Served in a root vegetable and potato stew in a single-serve cast iron skillet, the dish was extremely rich. I couldn’t handle more than a bite, but Alex was satisfied. A side of baked mac and cheese casserole took us overboard, but we were happy. Very happy.

Needless to say, Cochon was a fantastic way to kick off 2013. I hope you try it on your next visit!