5 best restaurant meals in Austin, Texas

I spent the past two weeks in Austin, Texas with The Cowboy finalizing some wedding details. One perk of traveling to and fro is getting to dine in new and exciting restaurants.

Side note: The Cowboy now has twitter @TheRealMrFury, not to be confused with impersonators *chuckle*.

Austin means two things for me: Tex Mex and happy hour. It’s utterly tragic that Vancouver’s strict liquor laws ruled out happy hour so I get my fill whenever I travel. Tex Mex is my comfort food away from home, equivalent to dim sum when I’m in YVR.

Here are my top 5 restaurant meals in Austin during my most recent trip to Texas.

Brunch at Eastside Cafe – This beloved gem in the heart of the Eastside is proud to serve up wholesome, honest food using local and seasonal ingredients, including vegetables and eggs straight from their back garden.  After a filling brunch, head over to their kitchen store to shop for some serious cooking tools.

Smoked Salmon Benedict

Last bite of my apple almond waffle with fresh whipped cream

Happy hour at Parkside – Parkside is our favourite hideout in the city that features a gorgeous bar and an airy patio facing 6th Street, Austin’s party district.  We love it so much that we even shot some of our engagement photos here. Owner and chef Shawn Cirkeil introduces classic French fare with a Southern twist seamlessly and elegantly.   I love starting my evening here with craft cocktails and the 1/2 price bar menu during happy hour.

Light and crispy fried okra

Dirty Tito’s – dirty martini made with locally distilled Tito’s vodka

Banana semifreddo, caramelized banana, coffee

Breakfast Tacos at Taco Deli – If there’s one thing that I miss most about Austin, it’d be the warm breakfast tacos in the morning.  Think: fluffy scrambled eggs, toppings like spinach, corn and avocado, shredded cheese, on soft corn or flour tortillas, dressed with a variety of salsas. This combination may sound strange but there is truly no better way to start the day than with a few spicy breakfast tacos and a hot cuppa joe.

Good morning, world!

Salsa action!

Wine and Small Bites at Foreign & Domestic – I was confused as The Cowboy drove into a residential neighborhood during my first visit to Foreign & Domestic.  I had no clue that an upbeat and innovative restaurant was tucked deep within.  Foreign & Domestic houses a concise, but solid wine and beer list for thirsty diners after a long day’s work.  I like propping up on the bar to watch the action in their tight, open kitchen.

While I enjoyed their entrées just fine, I am especially fond of their intricate appetizers.  In particular, their daring crispy beef tongue and venison heart tartare with white chocolate stole my… well…

Crispy beef tongue with watermelon radish

Venison heart tartare with white chocolate

Comforting banana rice pudding with blood orange ice cream

Lunch at El Chile Cafe Y Cantina - We went here for lunch before heading back to the airport.  I knew I would miss Tex Mex tremendously so we made sure I got my fill. I was taken back when I crunched into El Chile’s chips and salsa alone.  This lively restaurant has the best roasted jalapeno salsa that has ever touched my tongue. Their chile relleno, a smoky, roasted poblano pepper stuffed with succulent pulled pork and slathered in mole sauce is equally unforgettable.

Best roasted jalapeno salsa ever

2 thumbs up for chile relleno

Beef fajita with warm, pliant tortillas

More to follow…

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