Barley Swine

I call him the “Prince of fresh and local”…yep, that is definitely Chef Bryce Gilmore’s, owner of Barley Swine, nickname in my book. After successfully feeding us with his food trailer “Old Duck Farm to Trailer” now he nails it again with his first Brick and Mortar Barley Swine.

 

As the 2011 recipient of Best New Chef Food and Wine Magazine, Chef Bryce knows a thing or two about flavor. His unique ideas and the freshness of his ingredients from local farms makes his food an incredible experience. 

 

With a changing menu to match the season, you will not just find pork on the menu. I had the seared Scallops with Brussels Sprouts, Peanuts and Grapefruit. The smell alone when he was cooking it was amazing. The Scallops were perfectly cooked with a nice browning on either side and the nutty brussel sprouts were so delicious. Then the peanuts that were cooked in simple sugar added a nice sweetness and then BAM…the grapefruit. A very full of flavor dish that I my palate was begging for more. I recommend this dish if you want something different and very delicious. 

 

If you are looking for a unique small plates full of flavor and a “New York” kind a of feel with high top/communal tables…this is the place for your next dinner out. 

 

Located on South Lamar at 2024.

 

See you there!

Mexican Food...with a health flare?

Whether it’s girls night out, or the perfect place for a date, even if you want to bring the kids (early) this delightful, yet casual place will make you feel good and satisfy that craving for yummy Mexican food. When you go you definitely want to start with Chef David Garrido’s signature Oyster Tostadas on yucca root chips with honey habanera aioli… they literally melt in your mouth and are my personal favorite. You can’t go wrong with any of his tacos. Try the BLT Snapper taco or any one of his fabulous entrées. And…don’t forget dessert! His Pastel de Calabaza with crema fresca (zucchini cake) has been a recipe in his family for over 40 years. This dish is so light and fresh it is the perfect top to a perfect meal.


This amazing, modern, Mexican Tequileria backs up to beautiful Shoal Creek and rests right in the trendy Seaholm District, downtown. The patio  has a serenity that makes you feel as though you are not in downtown Austin, but rather in a beautiful tropical area in South America.


Next time you feel like Mexican food come to Garrido’s for Dinner or Brunch…your taste buds will thank you.

For the Sushi lovers...

I had the pleasure of sitting down with Sushi Mastermind, Chef Tyson Cole at his newest Japanese Sushi restaurant, Uchiko, sister restaurant to Uchi. With the title Best New Chef in 2005, Food and Wine Magazine and his recent James Beard award, Best Chef Southwest, it’s no wonder why you can barely get a seat without a reservation. The food here is…well… epic.

The Japanese Farmhouse feel at Uchiko is so inviting. The décor is modern, fresh and warm, giving each guest a great dining experience.

It’s hard to pick a favorite but I love salmon so the Yokai Berry is one of my favorites! Atlantic Salmon, dinosaur kale, Asian pear and Yuzu (Japanese citrus). This dish is succulent to say the least, the sweetness from the pear and the tangy zip from the Yuzu is like a party in my mouth. The desserts are indescribable as well. Chef Phillip Speer brilliance when it comes to pastries is very unique. The fried milk is ridiculous! You have to try it.

If you have never had sushi or may want to try for the first time…Uchiko is definitely the place you want to start. The quality is incomparable and the service and knowledge from the wait staff is awesome. They make you feel comfortable and  really educate you on what to order.

Chef Tyson gives you the familiar with the unfamiliar…goat cheese and fugi apples then gives you a fish you might not know and some how it melts in your mouth and your taste buds are begging for more.

The best part about eating at Uchiko is most nights you will see Chef Tyson Cole come out and help serve his guests. That’s almost unheard of!

If you have not yet been to Uchiko…where have you been??? Go and enjoy some delicious art on a plate.

Food for Thought...

Foreign & Domestic

If you are in the mood for something different and unique or maybe you have an out of town guest that wants to see and taste Austin food at its best…Foreign and Domestic is the place you need to go.

A small, quaint, modern neighborhood top restaurant in Austin with edgy décor that’s fun, cool and yet interesting touches – like the jars of pickled vegetables on the shelves – gives it a very nostalgic and homey feel.

Chef Ned Elliott is not only talented in kitchen but also has an eye for designing restaurant spaces. For Foreign and Domestic, he added great touches, like placing the kitchen right in the center for guests to watch and smell the dishes being prepared.

At first when I looked at the menu I was excited, but skeptical. How is this going to taste with such interesting choices in the ingredients? A perfect example: Heartbrand Beef Wagyu Steak (my personal favorite). It comes in a bowl with fried orzo, soft egg, in ham hock broth. The flavor is out of this world. The beef is tender, like butter, and he put a little mint and a little heat in the dish to give it an edge. How does he come up with this?!!

Chef Ned takes a simple dish and puts a unique spin, that is not only delicious but has beautiful presentation. His ideas and flavors are bold and perfect for someone wanting to try something new. If you’re wanting to try something else new, don’t be afraid to try the Beef Tongue or Beef Tartar. You’ll be pleasantly surprised with the blend and texture of the flavors. For Chef Ned, interesting dishes came from his childhood, where he grew up eating heart, tongue, liver, kidneys as a regular meal. That childhood culinary adventure has become a staple in his kitchen and add to the unique dishes that make Foreign and Domestic in a class of its own – really makes it one of the best restaurants in Austin. You will need to leave your comfort zone at the door for this place.

Foreign and Domestic is one of my top recommendations. Located in the quiet neighborhood of North Loop just off Hyde Park, you’re sure to find something that will give your taste buds an adventure and give you an appreciation for the unique blends you can get when you mix foreign and domestic.