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Max’s chicken & waffles; Trio for $39; BBQ buffet
• Max’s Wine Dive at 207 San Jacinto Blvd. now offers an all-day Sunday brunch special of $25 for unlimited chicken, waffles and mimosas from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. An a la carte menu of other brunch favorites is available, too. 904-0105, www.maxswinedive.com.
• Trio, the restaurant at the Four Seasons hotel, has begun offering a daily $39 fixed-price menu with a choice of appetizers, main courses, sides and desserts. 98 San Jacinto Blvd. 685-8300, www.fourseasons.com/austin.
• On July 11 from 4 to 7 p.m., Avery Ranch Golf Club and Central Market chef Scot Loranc are hosting a barbecue buffet with lessons on creating sauces and rubs, cooking brisket and ribs and making side dishes from cole slaw to potato salad. The buffet will include brisket, chicken, ribs, sides and peach cobbler. $45. Avery Ranch Golf Club, 10500 Avery Club Drive. 248-2442. Reservations at www.averyranchgolf.com/centralmarket.
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Borboleta: Raw, vegan, gourmet
Borboleta Gourmet Living Cuisine cafe owner and chef Virginia Morgan (above) became a vegetarian at age 12, then a vegan at 15 for “moral and political reasons,” she says.
Her cafe (1221 W. Sixth St., 828-7404, www.borboletagourmet.com), which opened in May in the Bella Salon building on West Sixth Street, reflects her beliefs with food that’s vegan, kosher, gluten-free and raw, with nothing heated to more than 115 degrees Fahrenheit.
The menu changes daily but might include zucchini “pasta” with green beans and red bell peppers topped with an Alfredo sauce made from cashews and mushrooms ($10) or a parfait with berries, nondairy fruit yogurt and a housemade granola of dried fruits and nuts ($7).
The menu includes salads (a small grapefruit-fennel salad is $8), pizza (two meticulously assembled slices for $11), fair-trade coffee drinks, desserts and fresh juices, including a nonalcoholic mimosa with Brain Toniq and orange juice ($6.50).
Borboleta is open 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Mondays through Fridays, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturdays.
(American-Statesman photos by Mike Sutter)
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July Fourth restaurant events
The holiday-specials beat is usually my territory, but Matthew Odam is doing the Fourth of July honors this week at his blog, The M.O. (austin360.com/themo). See the specials here.
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Salvadoran chain Gloria’s set for the Domain
The Salvadoran restaurant chain Gloria’s plans to open a 7,000-square-foot cafe by the end of the year at the Domain, officials with the North Austin retail and residential center said Thursday.
The restaurant has 10 Texas locations in the Dallas-Fort Worth area, serving mid-priced Salvadoran specialties like pupusas, tamales, churrasco steaks, yucca and plantains, along with Tex-Mex and Mexican dishes.
Gloria’s will occupy the former home of the Oakville Grocery at Esperanza Crossing and Robinson Road near the Borders book store.
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Sangria-fied at House Wine
In our Austin360 magazine next week, we’re putting together a refreshing summer sangria sampler. But it’s hot right this minute, too. So here’s a preview, with a recipe:
Kerry White and Jay Sims own the charming three-room cottage known as House Wine (408 Josephine St. 322-5210, housewineaustin.com. Open 3 p.m. to midnight daily.).
Outside, there’s a covered porch and a courtyard with tables, serenaded by the classic-rock soundtrack from P. Terry’s Burger Stand across the street. Inside, the air-conditioning welcomes you like a friend to the comfort of upholstered seating groups. The music here might be Journey from the stereo or live music from smart, soulful singer-songwriters (including Sims himself).
Among the summer’s well-chosen and reasonable wines (including four daily choices for $5 a glass or $18 a bottle) are red and white sangrias developed by White for $6 a glass or served with a wink as a snow cone in a sundae glass for the same price. Here’s White’s easy-to-make blend of pinot grigio, peaches, fruit and herbs.
House Wine’s Peach and Basil Sangria
6 12-oz. cans Goya Peach Nectar
6 white peaches, sliced
2 cups fresh lemon juice
5 lemons, thinly sliced
1 bunch fresh basil
2 large oranges, thinly sliced
1 handful green grapes, sliced
4 bottles pinot grigio wine, 750 ml. each
In a large beverage urn, add fruit, juices and herbs. Top with wine. Stir. Ladle sangria, including pieces of fruit, into wine glasses over ice. Makes about one and a half gallons. — Kerry White
(American-Statesman photo by Mike Sutter)
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Satisfy your snow-cone jones
I realize it’s cloudy and wet today, but you’ll need a snow cone tomorrow. And every day after that. Here’s a sampling of places to cool off with chipped, shaved and snowballed ice heading into the Fourth of July weekend.
• Big Top Candy Shop, a store at 1706 S. Congress Ave. (462-2220, www.myspace.com/bigtopcandyshop). Open at 11 a.m. Sundays through Fridays, 10 a.m. Saturdays.
• Casey’s New Orleans Snowballs, a shop at 808 E. 51st St. Open daily at noon.
• Jim-Jim’s Water Ice, a storefront at 615-A E. Sixth St. (708-8285, www.jimjimswaterice.com). Open daily at noon. Other locations include Deep Eddy Pool, the south entrance of Zilker Park at 2100 Robert E. Lee Road, Cafe Rema at 2418 RM 620 in Lakeway and the farmers’ markets at the Triangle (46th Street and Lamar Boulevard) and downtown (Fourth and Guadalupe streets).
• Sno-Beach, trailers at 801 Barton Springs Road, 34th and Guadalupe streets and outside the Fiesta Mart at 3909 N. Interstate 35. Open daily at noon.
• Treat, a trailer sharing space with La Dee Dah at the South Austin Trailer Park & Eatery at 1311 S. First St. (www.austintreat.com). Open at noon Mondays through Thursdays, 10 a.m. Saturdays and Sundays.
TOP: Jim Moy owns Jim-Jim’s Water Ice.
LEFT: A rainbow cone from Sno-Beach.
RIGHT: Clay Stewart makes a Banana Fudgecicle at Casey’s New Orleans Snowballs.
(American-Statesman photos)
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Belgian waffle quest: Can you help?
Most of us have no intercontinental frame of reference for how a true Belgian waffle is supposed to taste. But if you can help this reader find a proper Belgian waffle in Austin, will you please let me know? Leave a comment, or e-mail me at msutter@statesman.com. Thanks for your help.
“I recently returned from travelling in Europe and my absolute favorite food find was waffles in Brussels, Belgium. They were sooooo good- the batter was completely different than any waffles I had ever had in the U.S. and nothing like Americanized ‘Belgian Waffles.’ The batter seemed to be made of 50% sugar, and you ordered them with toppings of strawberries, bananas, whipped cream, ice cream, and/or chocolate (even though they were amazing enough by themselves). Do you know of anywhere in Austin where I can find authentic Belgian waffles?”
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Tomato time at Kerbey Lane; S. Austin Indian food
• Austin’s four Kerbey Lane Cafe locations have kicked off their popular summer tomato menu, including tomato-and-squash fries, tomato-basil bruschetta and a tomato pie made with roasted tomatoes, green onions, basil, garlic and feta cheese baked in a pie crust. The cafes are partnering with Fredericksburg farmer Paul Engel for their tomato supply. See www.kerbeylanecafe.com for locations.
• Eva B’s, the kolache bakery and panini shop owned by Seenu and Anjali Jallipalli at 2407A S. Congress Ave., has added Indian food to its lunchtime offerings. For $9.99 from 11 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Tuesdays through Saturdays, Indian native Selva Kumari is preparing a sampler plate that changes regularly but might include tandoori chicken, naan, spinach paneer kofta, pakoda, rice pulav and brinjal masala. The bakery’s regular hours are 7 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Mondays through Fridays, 8 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Saturdays. 383-9050, www.evabeecafe.com.
(American-Statesman photo by Larry Kolvoord)
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DeFresh Mode: Just can’t get enough
For John Johnston and Kelly Carter (above), the DeFresh Mode vegetarian food trailer they opened June 20 at 1806 Barton Springs Road is just one of the summer’s grand adventures. They’ll also be getting married in the next couple of weeks at the Umlauf Sculpture Garden just blocks away.
From an Airstream Land Yacht trailer Johnston bought on eBay three years ago, the couple and business partner Stephen Presley are serving $4.95 vegetarian sandwiches such as the Avocado Dream (avocado, tomato, vegan cream cheese, peppers and cucumber on 12-grain bread) and the Robert Eggplant Panini (eggplant, goat cheese, mango, peanuts and pesto) along with fruit cups featuring fresh mango, watermelon, kiwi, oranges and more ($2.50-$3.75). Ice cream floats combine root beer from Maine Root with NadaMoo vegan ice cream.
Join them Saturday (June 27) from 3 to 7 p.m. for a grand opening at the trailer, with a DJ and live music, plus a stuffed-pony giveaway.
So how big of a Depeche Mode fan is Johnston (besides naming the business in homage to the English electro-pop band)? In 2004, he flew to a concert in Florida, bought a car and drove back to Texas for another show.
Open 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Mondays through Saturdays, 2-9 p.m. Sundays. www.defreshmode.com. Their lease on the rocky patch of land next to Zilker Park runs through mid-September, when construction begins on the lot behind them. They’re keeping their fingers crossed for an extension into October for an Austin City Limits Festival boost.
(American-Statesman photos by Mike Sutter)
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A Honduran coffee-tasting at Cuvee
Cuvee Coffee Roasting Co. is bringing that sound closer to home on Friday (June 26) with a “cupping” of 15 coffees from Honduras. The tasting will take place at 1 p.m. at the company’s headquarters in Spicewood at 22601 Texas 71 W. The cost is $10, and you must RSVP at 866-688-6608.
The coffees were part of the global Cup of Excellence competition and auction, during which Cuvee bought samples (which can go for more than $100 a pound) from nine competing countries: Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua and Rwanda. Cuvee plans a cupping event for each of those coffees.
Cuvee Coffee is popping up at some high-profile shops around town, including Walton’s Fancy & Staple and Teuscher Chocolates of Switzerland.
(American-Statesman photo by Mike Sutter)
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Is it cold in here (or is it just you)?
For a story on shelters from the summer heat: Please tell me what restaurants in Austin make you shiver? (From the AC, not the food, that is.)
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Austin chef helping Robuchon open in Taiwan
For Meeker, who’s been with Cissi’s Wine Bar for the past year and a half, this is the second time to work with the French cooking superstar. In 2007, she was part of the team that opened a Robuchon restaurant in New York City.
Meeker’s cooking experience in Austin includes working with David Bull at the Driskill Grill and at Word of Mouth Catering for Rebecca Wallace, whom Meeker credits with teaching her how to cook. She trained in San Francisco at the California Culinary Academy and has worked for Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts.
Meeker said she’ll be in Taiwan for at least sixth months. The restaurant is scheduled to open in September. I wish her the best.
(Photo by Jay B. Sauceda)
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Tequila and wine dinners at Cantina Laredo and Andiamo
• Tequila dinner at Cantina Laredo: The Mexican restaurant is pairing four courses with Milagro Tequilas. 7 p.m. Wednesday (June 24) at 201 W. Third St. $49.99. Reservations at 542-9670, www.cantinalaredo.com.
• Wine dinner at Andiamo: The Italian restaurant is pairing four courses with wines from Italy. 7 p.m. Tuesday (June 30) at 2521 Rutland Drive, No. 325. $40. Reservations at 719-3377, www.andiamoitaliano.com.
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Blue Dahlia Bistro: The bigger picture
In our Austin360 magazine this week, I’m reviewing Blue Dahlia Bistro (1115 E. 11th St., 542-9542, www.bluedahliabistro.com). Read the review here. In the meantime, more pictures:
Clockwise from top left: A yogurt and granola parfait with berries, a breakfast plate of two soft-boiled eggs with greens and fresh breads plus a side order of pancetta, a salad with four kinds of cheese, the front patio with seating under the umbrellas and a back patio shaded by plants and arbors.
(American-Statesman photos by Mike Sutter)
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Wine (and beer) events
• Blue Star Cafeteria beer tasting: Four beers from Independence Brewery, paired with appetizers. 8 p.m. Thursday (June 18) at Blue Star Cafeteria, 4800 Burnet Road. $20. Reservations required: 454-7827.
• ‘Field of Dreams’: A tasting of foods from more than a dozen restaurants and food vendors (including McCormick & Schmick’s, Nolan Ryan Beef, Cool River Cafe, North and the Salt Lick) along with wines from the Francis Ford Coppola Presents Winery. Plus a ‘Soles for Souls’ charity silent auction of shoes autographed by sports figures such as Nolan Ryan, Mack Brown, Ben Crenshaw, Quan Cosby, Sanya Richards and others. 6:30 to 9 p.m. June 25 at the United Heritage Center at the Dell Diamond, 3400 E. Palm Valley Blvd., Round Rock. $45, $35 for foundation members, $100 for ticket plus autographed poster. Reservations at 327-7555, www.winefoodfoundation.org.
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House Pizzeria: More pie
A few more photos from this week’s review of House Pizzeria:
TOP: A half-and-half pizza. On the left is rosemary roasted potatoes and goat cheese. On the right is Stilton cheese with port reduction sauce.
CENTER: Brothers Jacob Talkington, left, and Scott Talkington at House Pizzeria. Jacob is one of the pizza makers and Scott owns the business.
BOTTOM: The shop at 5111 Airport Blvd. and a pizza with sausage, mushrooms and roasted red pepper.
(American-Statesman photos by Mike Sutter and Addie Broyles)
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Does plating matter?
I got a thoughtful e-mail from a reader who called me out for not taking Steiner Ranch Steakhouse to task for sloppy plating in my review on Thursday. He’s right, really.
This $39 rib-eye came out looking like this (except for the cut I made to show the level of doneness). Line up those asparagus spears. Move the bone off the mashed potatoes, balance the plate. And are those really the best tomatoes they can manage at that price point?
In defense of the dish: The meat tasted great. Deep and rich beef flavor. The potatoes were bland, but the asparagus had a nice al dente bite.
How much does presentation count? Curious to hear your thoughts.
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Wine dinners at 360 Uno and Z’Tejas
• 6 p.m. Tuesday (June 16) at 360 Uno Trattoria: Appetizers and five courses of Italian food paired with wines presented by Lucio Mastroberardino of Terredora winery. The menu includes roasted lamb, calamari salad and a cheese course. $65. (3801 Capital of Texas Highway (Loop 360), Suite G-100. 327-4448, www.360uno.com.)
• 7 p.m. Tuesday (June 16) at Z’Tejas: A five-course menu with wine pairings. The menu includes Copper River salmon, lamb chops and smoked chorizo fondue. Wineries include Frog’s Leap, Fess Parker and Pine Ridge. $65. (1110 W. Sixth St. 970-3834, www.ztejas.com.)
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Father’s Day brunch sampler
Father’s Day is June 21. Here’s a sampling of what Austin restaurants are doing for Dad that day.
• Blue Star Cafeteria (4800 Burnet Road, C-300, 454-7827, www.bluestarcafeteria.com): Regular brunch menu, plus two specials: tenderloin steak and eggs ($13.50) and beef filet Benedict ($14.95). 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
• Cantina Laredo (201 W. Third St., 542-9670, www.cantinalaredo.com): Brunch buffet with omelets, eggs Benedict, migas, fajitas, enchiladas and more. $15.99. $1 Bloody Marys and mimosas. Free dessert for fathers. 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
• The Crossings (13500 RM 2769, 877-944-3003, www.thecrossingsaustin.com): Brunch featuring barbecued brisket, ribs, chicken and sausage, plus an omelet station, salads, soups and desserts. Also with live country music and roping lessons. $39.95, $19.95 for children 6 to 12 years old, free for children 5 and younger. 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
• European Bistro (111 E. Main St., Pflugerville, 512-835-1919, www.european-bistro.com): Choices on a five-course prix-fixe menu include Uzbekistan samosa, chicken-and-vegetable soup, Hungarian cucumber salad, steak au poivre, jagerschnitzel, wienerschnitzel, pork tenderloin and roasted duck leg, plus orange mousse cake or chocolate mousse cake. $45. A la carte menu also available. 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.
• FINO Restaurant Patio & Bar (2905 San Gabriel St., 474-2905, www.finoaustin.com): In addition to a special of grilled beef tenderloin with truffled potato, mushroom and bacon hash ($22), the brunch menu includes Wagyu flat-iron steak and eggs, merguez sausage sliders with fries, manchego cheese biscuits and made-to-order doughnuts. Prices vary. 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
• Fleming’s Prime Steakhouse & Wine Bar (11600 Century Oaks Terrace, Suite 140 at the Domain, 835-9463; 320 E. Second St. 457-1500; www.flemingssteakhouse.com): Three-course prix-fixe brunch. Starters: wedge salad, onion soup, fruit. Main course: filet mignon Benedict, crab-cake Benedict, pork chop, salmon quiche. Dessert: berry cobbler, creme brulee, turtle pie. Fathers also receive a $25 gift card for a future visit. $29.95. 11:30 a.m. to 3 p.m.
• Hill Country Pasta House (3519 RM 620 N., 266-9445, www.hillcountrypasta.com): Italian buffet from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., including rosemary beef, omelet station, prime rib, lasagna, chicken Parmesan, pizza and cheesecake. $15.99. Regular menu available until 10 p.m.
• La Condesa (400-A W. Second St., 499-0300, www.lacondesaaustin.com): ‘El Chanchito Feast’ features a salad of greens, queso fresco and tortilla strips and all-you-can-eat roasted suckling pig with rice, beans, avocado salad, chicharron and tortillas. $30. 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
• North by Northwest Restaurant and Brewery (10010 N. Capital of Texas Highway (Loop 36), 231-8157, www.nxnwbrew.com): In addition to a full brunch menu from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., all-day specials include a half-pound ‘Dad Burger’ with sautéed mushrooms, fried onions, bacon, three cheeses and garlic fries, plus a 16-ounce rib-eye with baked potato, asparagus and shrimp.
• Roy’s of Austin (340 E. Second St., 391-1500, www.roysrestaurant.com): Three-course brunch. Appetizer choices include a Yamaguchi sushi roll, lobster pot stickers and blackened ahi. Main course choices include beef short ribs with poached eggs, macadamia-crusted mahi mahi and crab cakes Benedict. Desserts include warm banana cake, chocolate mousse and guava chiffon-lillikoi cake. Fathers also receive a $20 gift card. $30-$46 for three courses, $12 for children. 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.
• Ruth’s Chris Steak House (107 W. Sixth St., 477-7884, www.ruthschris-austin.com): Three-course fixed-price menu (salad or soup, steak, chicken or fish, side and dessert) for $39.95 or $49.95. Opens at 4:30 p.m.
• Sagra (1610 San Antonio St., 535-5988, www.sagrarestaurant.net): A special menu, plus a PG-rated burlesque show by the Jigglewatts. The menu includes batter-fried vegetables with marinara and herbed fontina, a dessert choice and a main course choice of quail with polenta, spinach and mushroom lasagna, shrimp with tomato risotto or Chicken Diavolo. The show starts at 2 p.m. $24.
• Sullivan’s Steakhouse (300 Colorado St, 495-6504, www.sullivansteakhouse.com): Three-course fixed-price menu. Starters: mushroom bisque or spinach salad. Main courses: sesame-seared tuna steak, 12-ounce filet or 16-ounce barbecue-spiced rib-eye. Dessert: wild berry cobbler. $35. Regular menu also available. 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.
• Z Tejas (three locations; see www.ztejas.com for hours and prices): Regular menu. Fathers will receive prizes ranging from free dessert or appetizer certificates or gift cards up to $50, plus a free photo.
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A Schulenburg landmark, reborn
From the late 1800s to the 1940s, Sengelmann Hall was the focal point of nightlife in the town of Schulenburg, 80 miles southeast of Austin off Interstate 10.
Thanks to Dana Harper, a Houston artist who bought and renovated the building, the hall reopened over the weekend as a live-music venue, biergarten and restaurant true to its Czech and German roots.
In addition to pre-Prohibition cocktails and 14 beers on tap, the restaurant offers goulash, dumplings, burgers, steaks from chef Kenny Kopecky and recipes from the owner’s wife, native Czech Hana Hillerova Harper.
The music lineup this week includes honky-tonk pianist and Austin favorite Earle Poole Ball (Thursday), red-dirt country rocker Jason Boland (Friday) and Austin troubadour James Hand (Saturday).
Sengelmann Hall (531 N. Main St., Schulenburg; 979-743-2300 www.sengelmannhall.com) is open 6 to 11 p.m. Thursdays, 6 p.m. to midnight Fridays, 6 p.m. to 1 a.m. Saturdays and noon to 7 p.m. Sundays.
(Photo provided by Sengelmann Hall)
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More Counter culture
A peek inside the Counter Cafe, the little gem of a diner I reviewed in this week’s Austin360 magazine. Hard to believe so much good cooking happens in such a small place, including a grilled pimiento cheese sandwich on nine-grain bread and carrot-giner soup (left) and polenta-battered fried oysters. Read the review here.
(American-Statesman photos by Mike Sutter)
Latest comments
Oh that’s wonderful news!! Gloria’s is so yummy… love the salsa and bean dip.
Hey Bobby and Boneyard— why so bitter? Lighten up.
... read the full comment by Natalie | Comment on Salvadoran chain Gloria's set for the Domain Read Salvadoran chain Gloria's set for the Domain
who cares about a restaurant opening at the domain? domain’s pr guy is thinking people care - why is this printed in the AAS?
... read the full comment by joe | Comment on Salvadoran chain Gloria's set for the Domain Read Salvadoran chain Gloria's set for the Domain
I love the Domain. I don’t shop there a lot, but it’s always a treat to visit. I don’t like malls, so this is a perfect place that’s not an outlet mall for me. Great place to people watch too.
... read the full comment by Jan | Comment on Salvadoran chain Gloria's set for the Domain Read Salvadoran chain Gloria's set for the Domain
I second the recommendation for Elsi’s.
... read the full comment by Anative | Comment on Salvadoran chain Gloria's set for the Domain Read Salvadoran chain Gloria's set for the Domain
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