East Side King Paints the Town Yummy!

A week out of SXSW now feels like ancient history, but my delicious food memories remain.  Here, I wanted to shine a light on yet another awesome food truck experience I had at Paul Qui's and Moto Utsunomiya's East Side King, which came highly recommended.  In addition to the high praises sang by Austinites, I was also lucky to sit in on one of Paul's SX panels, further inspiring me to get a bite out of his cooking.

About East Side King:
For those of you not familiar with Chef Paul Qui, who's something of a local celebrity in Austin, the fact that he's also a Top Chef winner alum during season 9 may ring a bell.  Known for his adventurous cooking style, including winning a quickfire by incorporating the hottest ghost chili pepper there is, Chef Paul is always up for mixing things up and keeping it interesting.

While he owns a few upscale restaurants in Austin such as Uchi, Uchiko and Qui, Chef Paul puts just as much emphasis and attention into his street style mobile restaurant, East Side King.  Boasting a unique spin on Asian street food, East Side King's 5 locations deliver a funky Japanese street vibe in Austin's hippest neighborhoods.  Lucky enough to experience his pop-up locale downtown, especially positioned for SXSW, I got to see what the fuss is all about.

Food:
Admiring the many vegetarian, vegan and gluten free options, East Side King is a great choice if you're specific about the way you eat, but still want to enjoy great flavor.  Dan would be in heaven to see all that gluten free menu items, and I'm going to have to take him there next time we're in town.

Brussels Sprouts Salad - This dish came highly recommended, and wasn't a tough sell for me, as I always love to eat Brussels Sprouts.  It helped that most of the week was spent eating really rich foods, so some hearty veggies were certainly in order.  

While I can't say this salad was light, given the fried preparation of the Brussels Sprouts, it was flavorful as hell!  Coated in a sweet/tangy/spicy sauce, each bite gave your tastebuds a run for their money.  A sprinkling of fragrant herbs such as basil, cilantro and mint helped to freshen things up in the midst of all that fried deliciousness, including pieces of a deep fried bun.  When in Austin...

 
Beet Home Fries - I've never had deep fried beets before, but when I saw these babies included virtually in everyone's order, I knew I had to try them.  Happy to see I chose wisely, I enjoyed the beets' crispy exterior, which was fun to dunk into a creamy Kewpie Mayo (a popular Japanese mayo) further seasoned with spicy shichimi.  I've never had beets prepared in this way, which made the experience that much more unique and memorable.  

Service and Cost:
Due to the popularity of this truck, there's a bit of a wait (about 15-20 minutes), but I promise it's worth it.  The ladies who worked the truck were pleasant and totally accommodating, especially when it came to splitting up our payment into thirds.  It was also great that they accepted credit cards in addition to cash.

Lunch for two people, including drinks and a shared app set us back about $24 in total.

3 Mmmms

East Side King - 4 mobile locations and 1 brick-and-mortar location
Austin, TX
eskaustin.com

SXSW Food Highlights – Gourdough’s Doughnuts

Currently at SXSW Interactive Festival in Austin, I always look forward to the bodacious food that’s always a big highlight during my visit. In my typical, type A fashion, I pre-planned a few exciting food escapades to disrupt my busy conference agenda.

To no one’s surprise, food trucks took the front seat, as Austin is known for their creative mobile eats, and the Gourdough’s Doughnuts truck made a particularly sweet (and savory) impression on me. 


About Gourdough’s:
Specializing in larger than life, sweet and savory specialty doughnuts, I got the recommendation to visit Gourdough’s from my cousins Vicky and Eric. The vivid description of their recent experience sent me on a rampage to locate their funky little Airstream trailer and experience it first-hand.

Boasting two mobile locations in Downtown Austin, as well as a brick-and-mortar locale in South Austin, Gourdough’s is known for its unapologetically gluttonous menu. With up to 23 varieties of doughnuts (both sweet and savory), it’s hard to settle on just one - but you’re guaranteed to see something that tugs at your tummy strings. For me, it was the Fat Elvis donut that had me jonesin’.


Fat Elvis Donut:
Before I get into the actual taste of this monstrosity, I must mention that each oversized donut is made fresh to order, which doesn’t go unnoticed. The Fat Elvis is a very special doughnut, as it’s part of Gourdough’s secret menu, so cool kids, please advise!

Combining four of my favorite ingredients, such as grilled bananas, peanut butter, honey and bacon, this oversized doughnut was legit. The latter ingredient sealed the deal for me, especially when I saw how generous they were with it. Loving the peanut butter base, it tasted almost mousse-like, and I adored how the slightly tender bananas stuck to it. While the bacon was positioned in a rustic fashion, it fit the bill perfectly and juxtaposed beautifully with the otherwise sweet ingredients.

The actual doughnut didn’t suck either, as the dough was vibrant, airy and surprisingly light.

Service and Cost:
Since Gourdough’s is a food truck, there’s nothing fancy about its service, except that it’s relatively fast and the people are friendly. They’re happy to go over the menu with you, give you their recommendations and build your confidence (and excitement) about their big, fat donuts. Costs are expensive for a dougnut, however a steal when compared to the Cronut.

The aforementioned Fat Elvis rendition set me back a whopping $7. One thing’s for sure – I can’t wait to try more!

3 Mmmms

Gourdough’s – 604 Driskill Street, Austin TX 78701
gourdoughs.com

Olivia - Best Looking Eggs in Austin

While at SXSW last week, I of course had to take advantage of all the amazing food Austin has to offer.  And even in my fourth time in this city, there's never a shortage of something new and delicious to discover.  Olivia, a modern farm-to-table restaurant was definitely on my list, especially as it came up when working on the Daily Meal's 101 Best Restaurants in America.

Atmosphere:
Located in the beautiful, trendy neighborhood of South Lamar, Olivia was one of many interesting restaurants found there.  The main attraction for me was their farm to table philosophy, and the fact that you can literally go and check out their gorgeous little backyard garden and chickens, that reigned freely on the grounds, proved its authenticity.

The restaurant is really modern and sleek inside, with earthy muted colors that work well to relax the senses.  There's a few cushy booths as well as more traditional tables and a vibrant bar.  I first situated myself there while waiting for my friend Jessica to arrive.  Greeted by the friendly bar staff, they were already taking care of me and I enjoyed the Southern hospitality.

As I was there for brunch, it was quite busy both inside and in the outdoor seating area.  This was testament to Olivia's solid reputation for great quality food, and the crowd didn't thin out at all during our entire stay.

Food:
There was lots to choose from, but I had my eye on something authentic and asked the bartender for his specific recommendations.  He steered me to the friend oyster benedict, which is what I ended up getting.

Fried Oyster Benedict - Loving my oysters, this certainly wasn't a hard sell, especially when I saw they were paired with farm fresh poached eggs.  I can't properly describe how satisfying it was to break the yolk on these babies, as they released the most beautiful orange color.  They tasted even better than they looked and the texture was just out of this world- soft, velvety and luxurious.  I was surprised (well not really) when a woman next to me got the same dish and thought there was something wrong with the eggs because they were so bright.  It's astounding, but we're so used to eating poor quality eggs that getting something as beautiful and rich as this, is so far from the norm.

Sticky Buns - Having a nice view into the kitchen, I kept my eye on the golden, fluffy sticky buns, which we decided to share.  One portion was good enough for at least three, and they were fantastic.  Moist on the inside and glazed with a rich, bourbony concoction, they were also made with chunky pecans, together creating a modern take on a classic Southern comfort staple.

Service and Cost:
While the initial service here was awesome, it suffered quite a bit once we sat down.  Unfortunately my friend was a bit under the weather and needed more TLC than usual, which wasn't granted.  Our waiter seemed to be really unaware of what we wanted and acted surprised when we asked for something that should've been given to us from the get go.

Costs are moderate and include:

Brunch entrees - $11 - 25
Dinner entrees - $21 - $32
You can also get a tasting menu for $75-$95 per person

3 Mmmms

Olivia - 20-43 South Lamar, Austin TX 78704
512.804.2700
www.olivia-austin.com

Curra's - Mexican Food, Yucatan Style

Curra's Grill - 614 Oltorf Street, Austin TX 78704

512.444.0012

www.currasgrill.com

After several attempts to find a good authentic Mexican restaurant in Austin, Abby and I ended up at Curra's, which came recommended by a local foodie. We were excited to try it, as it featured interior Mexican cooking from the Yucatan region--something that we never yet tried.

Atmosphere:

In my opinion, good Mexican should never be too upscale. So while Curra's features a nice enough atmosphere, it's nothing fancy. The interior has colorful chairs and tables and even showcases Aztec-style art on the walls. Although Abby and I sat outside, I kept peeking inside, admiring a large Aztec tapestry.

The pro of sitting outside was that we got to enjoy the music of a live band. This is quite common in Austin, as I mentioned in my Stubb's review--and it's what I absolutely love about this city. Just like at Stubb's, the vibe at Curra's was casual and laid-back. We didn't feel rushed, as we let ourselves relax after a long working day.

Food:

After our dining experience at Curra's, we couldn't be happier that we took our friend's advice. The food was spectacular and the drinks were among the most original I've ever seen.

Chile con Queso - We just had to have this, as we knew that Austin features some of the best homemade queso in the country. We ordered a small but the portion seemed bottomless--even after we were done, there was a lot left over. The queso was absolutely delicious--it was chunky with plenty of ground beef and the actual cheese was as smooth as silk. A nice touch was the spoonful of guacamole on top--it was simple but a nice complement to the cheese. The chips were awesome too--they were super thin, light and maybe even homemade.

Avocado Margarita - Our foodie friend told us about this unusual margarita--only in Texas... I was on a mission to try it and was so glad that I did. Despite it sounding peculiar and unappetizing, it was fabulous. Citrusy from the lime, it had only the faintest hint of avocado. I think that the avocado showed itself more in texture--it was really creamy and buttery. Abby tried it too and was surprised at how good it was.

Mole Enchiladas - You might laugh at the above picture of these (I did!)--look like anything familiar? Besides its unnerving "natural" presentation, this dish was spectacular. The mole sauce was thick and almost chocolatey, perfectly paired with the tender chicken and beef enchiladas. I liked the modest sprinkling of sesame seeds on top, never seeing this before, I thought it was original and very tasty. The sides of refried pinto beans and rice were also great and I devoured almost everything on my plate.

Fish Tacos - This was Abby's entree and although I didn't try it, she loved it. The tacos were stuffed with fried snapper filet strips, served with fruit, pico de gallo and chipotle cream sauce. Abby who's sort of a fish taco connoisseur was muy impressed!

Service and Cost:

Just like at Stubb's, the service was really fast. The minute that we sat down, our order was taken and I think that our food arrived within 15 minutes of us sitting down. As I mentioned, we didn't feel rushed--so we hung out for quite a while and enjoyed some good conversation.

The prices at Curra's were incredible. Our margaritas were $4.95 each as well as the queso, while our entrees were both under $10. The entire dinner cost less than $25 each and I can't even explain how full we were--literally bursting at the seams.

3 Mmmms

Stubb's BBQ - Real Texan 'Q

Stubb's Bar-B-Que - 801 Red River, Austin TX 78701

512.480.8341

www.stubbsaustin.com

I had the great fun of going to Austin, Texas this week for work. Visiting this city once before, I knew what I was in for--friendly folk, unbeatable live music and of course amazing bbq. On our first night, we tried an awesome local 'q spot called Stubb's.

Atmosphere:

Although Stubb's doesn't seem like much in terms of atmosphere, it's pretty famous--especially in the music world. Back in the 70's, Stubb's served as the place for respite and song for legendary musicians such as Willie Nelson, Johnny Cash, Linda Ronstadt among others. Today, it continues to be the venue for local music acts, showcasing different live bands each night. We caught some action at the end of our meal, as music infiltrates all corners of the space--both in the dining room and in the lower-level amphitheater. Overall, the atmosphere is casual and relaxed--you can walk in wearing your oldest pair of jeans, a comfy t-shirt and no one will look at you twice.

Food:

Stubb's came recommended by a fellow co-worker and Texan, Jackie. She raved about its tasty food--and she was so right. Blue Smoke and Hill Country, watch out!

Red River Rita - We started the evening with a typical Southern drink--a margarita. Our expectations were high, as we craved a 'rita with the freshest ingredients, rimmed with the coarsest salt. While I thought that Stubb's' version tasted fresh, it was too sweet for me--the sugar biting the back of my throat. I kept pouring water into my glass to dilute it yet it was still too sweet.

Fried Green Tomatoes - I've heard a lot about this Southern snack but have never had the opportunity to try it--until now. My co-worker Abby and I devoured 6 large green tomato halves. Served with a tangy tartar sauce, the tomatoes were firm and sort of sweet on the inside with a beautiful crispy crust on the outside. What I loved about them is that they weren't messy and seedy, like your standard red tomatoes. I'd reorder this dish in a heartbeat--and Abby would too.

Stubb's Minor Combo Plates - Abby and I got two of these and shared everything on our plate. We ordered four types of meats and four types of sides.

The Meats - We chose a little bit of everything--brisket, chicken, pork ribs and sausage. Out of these, my favorites were the ribs and chicken--they were marinated in Stubb's smoky bbq sauce. The chicken was tender with delicious crispy skin while the ribs were topped with a tasty dry rub that Texas is known for. I thought that the brisket was too dry and I had to use more of Stubb's' bbq sauce to give it flavor. The sausage was yummy yet it didn't have enough spice. I wouldn't have minded a little more seasoning.

The Sides - This was the most exciting part of the meal, in my eyes. I couldn't wait to try Stubb's' version of creamy mac and cheese, mashed potatoes, cole-slaw and Serrano cheese spinach. Abby and I both agreed that the mac and cheese reigned supreme--it was silky smooth and really cheesy without being heavy. The cole slaw was another favorite because it was crunchy and not drenched in mayo. I could've done without the spinach, which sounded amazing on the menu but was way too spicy in real life. The mashed were good but uneventful--I really couldn't see anything special about them. They came with a side of gravy, which was so needed--without it, the mashed were too dry.

Service and Cost:

Our waitress was really quick--almost too quick because it seemed like she couldn't wait to serve the next table. She brought out the drinks even before we had a chance to start up a dinner conversation and our main dishes appeared a mere 8-10 minutes later. I'm not complaining--we were super hungry and the fast service was appreciated. However, I didn't get a taste of the Southern hospitality that I was hoping for.

We couldn't believe how affordable this place was. Our fried green tomatoes were just $5.95 and our combo meals set us back $13.95 each. With drinks, the whole dinner ended up being well under $60. This is simply unheard of at NY BBQ joints--especially at Blue Smoke. I'd surely come back the next time I'm in town.

3 Mmmms