Sound Bites: Snow Monster

We are now firmly in the grip of Texas summer, and it's hot. The obvious response - particularly from a food blogger's standpoint - is to use the sweltering weather as an excuse to seek out frozen treats. If you're of like mindset, have I got a tip for you.

Snow Monster, a new spot on N. Lamar (just northwest of the Chinatown shopping center), is serving up Taiwanese snow ice the likes of which Austin has never before seen. Gorgeous ribbons of a frozen milk-based mixture are drizzled with syrup and served with fresh fruit and a dollop of the loveliest panna cotta. The result is so impossibly light and fresh - so light, in fact, that it reminds me of the sensation of eating cotton candy - just a shimmer of flavor and then it's gone. I loved it so much that we went three days...in a row.

My favorite flavor so far - strawberry shaved ice

Matcha green tea flavor

Where the magic happens (behind the syrup bottles, sigh)

They have several interesting-sounding flavors like Thai tea and milk tea (served with boba!), but I've always been late at night, when I've been too afraid to flirt with caffeine.

Hurry. Go. Before I eat it all.

Snow Monster

11220 N. Lamar B275

Austin, TX 78753

Their website

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An Ode to Tiny Pies

(Sung to the tune of Lyin' Eyes by the Eagles)

Tiny Pies

This city girl, she tries to find out early

When the brand new stores are comin' 'round

When one opens, she gets there in a hurry

To see what tasty treats can there be found

This pastry shop was much anticipated

And when it came it did not fail to please

One bite and she was instantly elated

The caramel apple brought her to her knees

A mixed assortment of six different flavors

So hard it was not to devour them all

Every bite she forced herself to savor

Wishin' all the while they weren't so small

You can't hiiiiiide your Tiny Pies

You might just try, but it ain't wise

I thought by now you'd realize

There ain't no way to hide your Tiny Pies

Tiny Pies

5035 Burnet Road

Austin, TX 78757

512-916-0184

Their website

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AFBA CityGuide 2014 - Walk This Sway

Back when Sway Modern Thai was still a curry-scented rumor, my friend Erica said to me, "I think we should make it our mission to becomes experts on Sway." I took those words to heart, and visited the restaurant seven times during the first two months they were open. I've cooled my jets a bit since then, but remain enthusiastic for Sway. If I were crazy enough to try to create a top ten list of my favorite Austin restaurants right now, I feel quite certain that Sway would make the list.

I picked Sway as a dark horse for the South Austin - Date Night category, mainly because the best seats in the house are at the counter facing into the kitchen, and counter seating works best for parties of two. Having a show unfolding before you that can distract you if conversation lags, but that doesn't demand your attention, is the perfect recipe for date night in my book.

Fair warning: most of the rest of Sway's seating consists of awful nine-top tables that make conversation with anyone but your immediate neighbors practically impossible.

Whoever chose these tables was an introvert.

They do have a lovely patio with more sanely-shaped community tables, though...

Of course, no date night would be complete without some amazing plates to share. I suggest starting with their fantastic oysters on the half shell. Good god, these are fantastic. Fresh and light with the perfect, breezy mignonette. I could eat these all day.

All. Day.

My other favorite dishes at Sway are very flavor-forward. If you shy away from intense dishes, this may not be the place for you. For example, the Jungle Curry - Texas wagyu beef with baby corn, eggplant, peppercorns, and a wonderful, dark curry sauce, the heat from which is expertly balanced by a large dollop of soothing coconut cream.

I think I wanna know ya / Jungle love

Another dish in the "hot beef" category is the delicious Tiger Cry. Hanger steak is char-grilled medium rare and covered with red chili nahm jim, Thai basil, Fresno chile, toasted rice, and a generous scoop of Sway's super-addictive, house-made nahm prik pao.

That's the nahm prik pao lurking over there to the left.

Don't think Sway is just a meat-fest, though; they have a number of vegetarian options, too. One of my favorites is their fantastic salt and pepper tofu. Crispy, perfectly salty, and served in a lovely bath of chile sauce.

Salt & Pepper Tofu

If you want a showstopper to ooh and ahh, over, how about the whole crispy fish? This presentation could not be more impressive.

It will leap into your mouth!

Finally, I would be remiss not to mention the son-in-law, a crowd favorite (and one of mine, too). Braised pork shoulder; a farm egg cooked crispy on the outside, but still runny on the inside; thick soy, and nahm prik pla, served over a bed of rice.

The only Son-in-Law I'll ever have.

I hope you left room for dessert. The sweet endings here are special. Two of my favorites are the Thai tea affogato and the jasmine tea panna cotta:

Thai tea affogato - condensed milk ice cream (condensed milk ice cream!!!) served with macadamia cookies and a little pitcher of Thai tea to pour over the top. Basically a solid (and very delicious) version of Thai iced tea.

Jasmine tea panna cotta topped with coconut-lychee sorbet and garnished with red grapes, lychee, palm sugar, Thai basil, shiso, and crunchy amaranth.

If you're looking for a date night that's more foodie than fuddy duddy, more sassy than sedate, head on over to Sway for an evening of flavor-forward fun that you're sure to enjoy.

Sway Modern Thai

1417 South First Street

Austin, TX 78704

512-326-1999

Open for lunch and dinner, Sun-Wed 11a-10p, Thu-Sat 11a-11p

No reservations except for parties of 10 or more

WiFi: Yes

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Hidden Gem: Al Sur Latin American Bistro

One of the reasons I write this blog is that I love connecting people to the things they need. I enjoy helping folks find everything from the best al pastor in town to the perfect restaurant for their Aunt Gussie's 90th birthday luncheon. On the flip side, I am passionate about spreading the word about hardworking business owners who are making a go of their dream and need some help getting customers in the door.

I've recently discovered a restaurant that falls into the latter category, Al Sur Latin American Bistro. Saying that I "discovered" it actually means that I finally made my way over to try a place that Yelpers and Chowhounders have been raving about for the seven months it's been open. But both times I've visited, the place has been nearly empty. I just don't understand why it's not getting more traffic; it certainly should be.

As is obvious by the name, Al Sur serves Latin American cuisine, and - full disclosure, here - I know precious little about that food genre. What I do know is that I enjoyed two reasonably-priced, delicious meals there, and that the owner, Boris, engaged us in friendly conversations both times. The decor is pretty sparse, but what Al Sur lacks in showiness it makes up for in heart. Here's a little tour of what we've tried so far.

Complimentary chips & salsa. The salsa has a hearty, smoky flavor.


House salad ($4.95). The dressing is creamy, but light - and sure tastes house-made. I loved the fried green plantains that accompanied it.


Papas a la huancaina (oven-roasted potatoes topped with a huancaina sauce and a partial ear of choclo)($5.50). This is more carb-heavy than I typically order, but it was tasty, and the huge, chewy kernels on the choclo were a treat.


Empanadas ($4.85 for three - your choice of ground beef/potatoes or chicken). These are a real bargain. They're fried and wonderfully flaky, and the chimichurri served with it packs a delightful, garlicky punch.


Speaking of garlicky punch, these Camarones al mojo de ajo ($11.45) meld the age-old (and winning) combination of garlic, butter and shrimp. Never mind that the shrimp are still swimming; I like them that way, thank you very much.


Pescado en salsa capers ($10.45). The chef here clearly shares my belief that seafood is just too healthy on its own, so dousing it in buttery or creamy sauces is a good plan. The plentiful capers added a nice zing.


The crowning glory, the crepas de cajeta ($6.85). Fantastic crepes with just the right amount of egg-y flavor, adorned with creamy cajeta, pecans, and vanilla ice cream. Heaven.

Al Sur resides in the same strip mall as the Cap City Comedy Club, right near 183 and Lamar. Hurry over and support Boris and his crew; you won't be disappointed.

Al Sur Latin American Bistro
8120 Research Blvd.
Austin, TX 78758
(512) 419-7554
Their website
Their Facebook page

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Contigo Austin

Oh...uh...hi!

You're still there?

Cool!

Sorry for the lack of posting; I'm not sure exactly what happened there, except that I've just been a little overwhelmed with life. Nothing serious; just enough to keep me from staying as engaged with this process as I'd like. But I'm back!

And, of course, I have lots to share with you.

Last night, I finally got to venture out to try Contigo Austin. I first read about Contigo on Jodi Bart's wonderful blog, Tasty Touring, and as soon as I read her post, I knew I needed to try this place. I have a huge soft spot for places that are casual enough that I can show up in shorts but that still provide a great dining experience, and it's a huge bonus if they are also dog-friendly. Contigo fit all these criteria.

So, my friend Liz and I (and Mindy) spent the lovely summer evening on the patio at Contigo sampling their fare. And by "sampling," I mean that the two of us ordered a boatload of food and then managed to leave with it all in our bellies.

I started with one of Contigo's cocktails, the El Pepino ($7): tequila, cucumber water, lime, and just a whisper of mint. So delicious and refreshing, and quite dangerously easy to drink.

The first food to arrive was the house pickles ($4) - green tomato, green beans, and cucumber. These were super vinegary and were the only thing we tried that I probably wouldn't order again (although I was sort of glad we had them, as the acidity helped cut through the heaviness of the other stuff we ordered).



Next up were the "crispy green beans," ($6) which don't necessarily sound like they're deep-fried, but I knew from Jodi's post that they would be. These were really tender and delicious, and the batter had just the right amount of salt in it. I liked the sambal aioli that came with them, as well.



I was dead-set on trying one of Contigo's house-made charcuterie offerings, so ordered the crepinette ($7), which our server described as a patty of pork sausage meat mixed with reconstituted earl grey currants and crimini mushrooms, and encased in a netting of fat (!!). Uh, yes, please.



I loved this. The texture of the pork was hearty, and the flavor was rich but still nice and clean, and wasn't muddled with that greasy aftertaste that you sometimes get with low quality sausage. The herb salad made a nice, bright complement to the meat.

Mindy asked Liz several times if she could have some, but fortunately, Liz was not swayed by her hopeful attention.



We also tried the cauliflower gratin ($7). Cauliflower was lightly cooked (it still had a little crunch to it) and topped with parmesan, toasted almonds, and a balsamic reduction. It's not listed on the menu, but I think I detected a bit of cream in the sauce, as well.



It wouldn't be patio dining without a mess of fries, right? So we got some of those, as well ($4). Fries + aioli are such a fine combination, and these were nice and crispy and, like the green beans, perfectly salty.



I really enjoyed my first experience here and hope to be back again soon. I love the restaurant's concept - basically, "We love our South Texas ranch, and since we can't bring everyone down there, we're bringing the ranch to you." I'm so glad they did.








Contigo Austin
2027 Anchor Lane
Austin, Texas 78723
(512) 614-2260
Their website

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Food Photo Friday - Zax

My pants suggested to me the other day that perhaps it might be nice if I integrated some more salads into my diet. I try to keep my pants happy, but I also know how important it is to keep my taste buds happy, so I offered my pants a compromise: salads from Zax.

My first salad true love at Zax was the shrimp remoulade. Large, fresh shrimp in a creamy remoulade sauce, over bright greens, tomato, and generous slices of always-perfectly-ripened avocado. Served with a spot of seasoned, crouton-like toast so you don't feel too carb-deprived.

Last time I was there, I got all wild and crazy and tried the steak salad. Again with the crisp greens and tomatoes, only this time they woo you with a nicely seasoned portion of New York strip and sneak in some bleu cheese and crispy fried onions. "Hey Pants," I said, "You didn't specify what kind of salad."



For the salad-averse, Zax also offers a nice selection of sandwiches (including burgers), pizzas, pastas, and other "appeal to everyone" choices. Everything I've tried there has been made well and delicious. The space is filled with sunlight and always pleasant, and they have a dog-friendly patio for soaking in this fine weather we're experiencing. Oh, and they offer a nice selection of brunch dishes on the weekends (see here to get a gander at their corned beef hash), along with a build-your-own bloody Mary bar. I like to play a little game with myself to see how many olives, pickled okra, and gherkins I can skewer on one cocktail swizzler.



I could've fit another gherkin on this one.

Zax Restaurant & Bar
312 Barton Springs Road
Austin , TX 78704
(512) 481-0100

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The Carillon

One of the things I love most about the Austin food scene is that it's not afraid to surprise me. Some of our best food emanates from the most unlikely places, from trailers to convenience stores. Although it's not quite in the same genre as the latter two examples, The Carillon falls into the same category for me. It's part of UT; it's a hotel restaurant...both of these attributes would make it easy for The Carillon to get away with mediocrity, but there is nary a trace of that here.

I've had several meals and attended a number of events at The Carillon, including a couple of complimentary blogger events (one of which I blogged about here). A week ago, we got the opportunity to experience their six-course tasting menu, thanks to a Groupon they had run some time back. It was the last weekend that the Groupon could be used, so the dining room (which is quite large) was totally packed, and pretty much everyone in the place was having the tasting menu. This could easily have been a (literal) recipe for disaster, but from where we sat - which had a view into the open kitchen - it did not appear that Chef Watkins ever lost his cool.

The view from our table.

Nor did the food seem to suffer one iota. We've eaten many a tasting menu, and there is very frequently a course or two that is good, but not great (and sometimes "good" is an overly generous descriptor). Not so here; every single course was excellent, and we were both unreservedly delighted with our meal.

They started us off with a little amuse of lemon and basil panna cotta and a nice little tuna tartare.



The complimentary bread is baked onsite, and is studded with chunks of garlic. It has a nice crust and the inside is the perfect texture with a tiny bit of chew. Oh, and did you hear that chunks of garlic thing? Yeah. Mmm hmm.



Our first course, this nairagi napoleon, was the perfect spring dish. Raw nairagi (also known as striped marlin) was chopped and served stacked with fresh cucumber slices, a bit of Texas grapefruit, and some smoked chevre to bring it all down to earth. Smoky, creamy earth.



Then we were served this gorgeous sea scallop, which was resting on a bit of cauliflower puree and served with asparagus, a bit of vanilla citrus sauce, and a dusting of sumac. Wonderful.



Our third course married elements that I would not have thought to put together - white tuna was crusted with pistachios and served with a blueberry puree and chantrelle mushrooms. I had a bit of a "what?" moment when this dish was first described to me at a blogger event a few days earlier, but one taste made me a believer.



Our next course was probably my favorite course of the evening. Chef Watkins poached prime beef tenderloin in olive oil using an immersion circulator, which ensures even cooking throughout - and results in one of the most flavorful and tender preparations I've tasted. He served it with a potato purée, a peppercorn sauce, and a lovely fritto misto of fennel, which really livened up the dish.



At this point, I was starting to feel full. But I pressed on through a plate of braised beef short rib with vanilla sweet potato, carmelized onion, and more chantrelle mushrooms. The Texas Beef Council would have been so proud.



Continuing on in the "dark brown and delicious" theme, we finished off the meal with a Guanaja chocolate terrine accompanied by a baby scoop of coriander ice cream and crystallized cilantro. So smooth, so rich, and so sorry was I when it was gone...in part because I knew that meant I'd soon have to transport my body to another location.



It was a wonderful meal and a terrific experience, largely enhanced by the fact that we happened to run into three other couples we knew, and were lucky enough to be seated next to blogger Rachel Naugle and her husband Doug. As a result, we spent most of the meal chatting with them, which was super fun - although I know we interrupted their date night (sorry, guys!).

The Carillon has rightfully earned itself a place on my favorites list for fine dining in Austin. The food is consistently excellent, the wine pours are generous, and the pricing is reasonable for what you get - the tasting menu described above is normally $60 per person, which for sure is on the low end for tasting menus of this quantity and quality (of course, the tasting menu is not the only option, here; you can also order off their regular menu). And Chef Watkins is always the picture of graciousness, even while his kitchen is being barraged by a pack of ravenous, coupon-wielding patrons. You've got to admire the man for that.

Chef Watkins will also be serving many of these same dishes at the Grand Wine & Food Affair in Sugar Land, Texas from April 27 - May 1, 2011. If you happen to be in the area or are in the mood for a foodie road trip, check it out!

The Carillon
(at the AT&T Executive Conference Center)
1900 University Avenue
Austin, Texas 78705
(512) 404-3655
Their website

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Getting Peached at The Peached Tortilla

It used to be that the American Dream was defined by the small business owner who became successful by virtue of hard work and clean living. For later generations who were fortunate enough to benefit from their parents' and grandparents' pursuit of that dream, another element was added to the mix: the desire to succeed at something they were passionate about.

It is obvious to anyone who's spent a few minutes talking to Eric Silverstein that he is on track to achieving the new version of the American dream. He quit a lucrative job as a lawyer in Missouri to launch The Peached Tortilla, a mobile food truck business that has spent the last four months winning the hearts of food lovers in Austin. Not only is the food being turned out of this truck outstanding, but Eric's passion is infectious, and his humble, friendly demeanor means that every visit to The Peached Tortilla is not just a food run, but a visit to a friend.

The Peached Tortilla open for business.

As anyone who knows me knows, I tend to be a little suspicious of Asian fusion. I'm not sure whether I'm a traditionalist or just protective of the flavors I grew up with, but I typically cast a wary eye upon perceived attempts to evolve Asian flavors into something different. But Eric and his chef, Louis (who has worked the kitchens at Maria Maria and Imperia), have done this right. They've captured influences from Asian, Mexican, and Southern cooking and have married them in a way that makes the finished product into something altogether new, and definitely delightful. Everything I've tasted here was busting at the seams with bright, crisp, fresh flavors. This is Asian fusion I can get behind. Their menu tops out at $3.50, so it's very affordable for upscale-restaurant-quality food. And with gluten-free and vegetarian options available, there's a little something here for everyone.

Just look at this gorgeousness. How can you not want to eat this?


Top: crunchy catfish taco (Southern spiced, cornmeal-encrusted catfish with creamy slaw, spicy mayo, and purple cabbage);
Bottom: banh mi taco (Vietnamese-braised pork belly topped with pickled daikon and carrot salad, sriracha mayo, and cilantro).


L to R: Southern squash taco (sautéed citrus-scented summer squashes and red peppers, sweet onions, spiced pecans, basil aioli);
chicken pad thai taco (chicken sautéed in pad thai sauce with bean sprouts, peanuts, and lime wedge);
banh mi taco.


Left: Banh mi slider (Vietnamese-braised pork belly, pickled daikon and carrot salad, sriracha mayo, cilantro)
Right: BBQ brisket slider (brisket, creamy slaw, smoky roasted peach BBQ sauce).


Belgian fries - served with your choice of dipping sauces (peach mint, truffle mayo, bacon ranch, smoky roasted peach BBQ, or sriracha mayo). All of the ones I've tasted have been wonderful, but the peach mint is their special, and it is AMAZING.

Want to get peached? These guys are on the move, so check the truck schedule on their website to find them. You'll be glad you did.

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