South Congress Cafe

Since I mentioned South Congress Street yesterday, I thought I'd follow that up with my favorite restaurant in that area. Hands down, South Congress Cafe. I've eaten there several times and have never been disappointed. Not only does it have a really cool atmosphere, almost stark in decor, the food is to die for.

        

Aleza and I played hooky one day and had a girl's play day which included shopping, the Big Top Candy  Shop and having a lunch at South Congress Cafe. We had this planned for a while and we were both jumping out of our skin in excitement. I can't even tell you. We had to wait an hour and it didn't even matter, despite our hunger. Worth every minute.




Once we were sitting, it was on. Seriously, I was so anxious to order that I wanted to rip the menu out of the waiter's hands. Have I not expressed how amazing the food is here? I mean, even the bread and butter they serve before hand is amazing. Sometimes the butter is flavored with herbs and sometimes it's just rich and creamy but regardless it literally melts in your mouth.

Another amazing this here? The drinks. They are fancy and fresh and full of fruity goodness. Aleza had a cucumber martini without the tini and plus tea. It was so cool and refreshing. And I had the elderflower martini. St. Germain is my favorite liquor so anytime I see it on a menu, I get super excited. Plus, the word elderflower is very romantic.

Honestly, despite how famished we were, I have NO idea how we finally made our food decisions. We went back and forth. I mean, honestly, I usually have a bit of a hard time with menus since I'm naturally indecisive but food is something I know. I know what I like or if I feel like trying something new. But when everything on the menu is something I want to eat or try, what do I do?

Okay, I will stop raving and finally share what we ate.

               


Miss Aleza ordered Braised Short Rib Pasta. Those who know me know that I'm super weird about meat and eggs. But wow was this good. The ribs were braised with an arbor chile burgundy sauce complimented with olives, capers, basil, grano padano cheese served with rigatoni pasta.

I finally decided on the Pan Seared Sea Bass which was served on top of chorizo refried blacks and  accented with shitake mushrooms and leeks. On the side came an avocado, corn and crab salad. And this dish was cooked with white truffle oil. A dead giveaway that something you are about to eat is going to be good is if you see the words "truffle oil" on the menu.

The portion of the Sea Bass was a little small (and our waiter did inform me of this ahead of time), but I thought it was perfect. If you have a big appetite, this dish is recommended with a side salad or a cup of soup.


 Now that I have made you extremely hungry and incredibly jealous of our lunch date, I think it's time you check out South Congress Cafe.  Do be aware that there will be a wait but it's worth it. Trust me. Plus, being that is on Congress St., you can just go shopping! Peruse their menus online and you will completely understand why ordering is such a dilemma.

For those you who have eaten there, do you have any recommendations of dishes for our newbies?

Happy Eating!
Deepika

Obsession: Trudy's Stuffed Avocado

Well, me! Seriously. And it all began a year ago, when I walked into Trudy's...

Trudy's. It's sort of an Austin tradition. There are four locations now but originally it began with the one that is in Central Austin in 1977. (It's also the one I frequent the most) There is a large seating room in the front and then a bar downstairs with additional seating. There is also an enclosed porch. 


I have been to the North location as well and it's definitely more swanky. They also have a nice outdoor patio area. I'm partial to the south location because it's the original and it's near my house but it's the same the great food.


And honestly...It's probably the best Tex-Mex I've ever had. I've never ate anything here I haven't enjoyed. 


In my opinion they are known for two things. Their mexican martini's... basically 3 margaritas in a shaker - so if you order this prepare to be a little buzzed - and my favorite the stuffed avocado. Yes. Stuffed Avocado!!!!


I talk about these so much. I love them. So much. I mean I can't even express how good they are. If you don't live in Austin you might want to get on a plane right now. I will take you!


So our friends from home Keith and Katie (with their sweet as pie baby boy Jonah) came to visit for New Year's we decided to start to 2012 with a trip to Trudy's. Plus I think I have raved about it forever.


So Carbondale gang along with our friends Hana, Vinny and Jasmine and her adorable sisters Rose and Marigold, headed out. What resulted was a ridiculous amount of delicious food...including multiple stuffed avocados.

Katie = happy :)

Mexican Martini!

Stuffed Avocado...OMG. Anyone want to go to Trudy's?

I've been raving about them...I should explain what's in them! It's a fried and breaded avocado stuffed with spiced chicken and cheese. It is topped with suiza sauce and more cheese and a little fresh avocado. Comes with a side of beans and mexican rice.

Just an FYI...suiza sauce is a blend of Trudy's special New Mexican green chile sauce and sour cream. Yum. A little bit of a kick but YUM.

Tortilla Soup

Nachos!

Smoked Chicken Chimichanga

A absolute delicious looking flour tortilla filled with rotisserie smoked chicken, monterey jack cheese, green onion and cilantro. It's drizzled with sour cream and placed in a sea of chipotle sauce. Come with a side of spanish rice,  chile con queso and your choice of beans. 

Fish Tacos


Katie and Keith got the fish tacos and they were amazing. I was sitting next to Keith so I stole a bite :)

Chicken Fajita Queso... which is exactly as it sounds. 

A chicken fajita just smothered in chile con queso.

'

Inside the avocado...

Aleza is also on the stuffed avocado band wagon with me.

Seriously if you want some good tex-mex...Trudy's. Learn more about them here. And the other day I went to get drinks at the Trudy's  up North with my friend Tina and we got this deliciousness:

Cheesecake Flan! YUM!

Happy Eating!!

P.S. It was so fun to spend time with Keith and Katie when they were here. Aleza, the boys and I are trying to make sure they are the newest Austinites from Carbondale. Also, they have the cutest little boy I've ever seen.

I mean, look at him. And yes he does like to give kisses. It's the sweetest ever.

The Steeping Room

So...I love tea. There is so much comfort that comes from drinking a steaming mug of tea. It's pretty much a daily ritual in my house now. 

The Steeping room is a tea house and restaurant located up in Austin in this area called The Domain. The Domain is part of a huge shopping center and I've been in there for a cup of tea and a cupcake but never for an actual meal. Andrea is a huge fan and goes to brunch there often so when she asked me to meet her there for dinner Monday night, I knew I had to give it a try especially since I knew I could get a cup of tea.

Sure enough, we began our meal with hot tea.

How beautiful are these sweet teapots and tea mugs?

It was hard to choose as the Steeping Room has a very thorough tea list. In the end , we both got tea from the Green Tea Japanese Single Leaf family. I choose the Genmaicha, an addictive green tea from Japan with toasted rice and sencha. Andrea had the Houjicha, a roasted tea with calming properties. 

For dinner I couldn't decide, so our waiter ---seriously the best waiter ever--- led me to the Jasmine Gravlax,which was jasmine tea-cured Atlantic salmon with cream cheese and thinly sliced cucumber served on white bread with a side of Cashew Caesar Salad.

I am not the biggest fan of white bread but I really enjoyed the taste of cream cheese and salmon against it. I love Caesar Salad and really liked the twist of the Cashews in the dressing. 

Andrea had the Seasonal Grilled Vegetable sandwich on rice bread which had tofu with butternut squash, caramelized onions, arugula, lentil walnut spread and goat cheese with a green salad.

   

Andrea assured me it was delicious and she did clean her plate.

Even though by the end of the meal we were full, we had decided at the beginning of the meal to split dessert and you know, we are some smart ladies.

I mean, look at this:

Earl Grey Chocolate Mousse 

Amazingly delicious and I loved the added tartness of the raspberries.

The Steeping Room is located in the Domain off of the Mopac Expressway. They pride themselves in fresh and natural ingredients and have something to meet most dietary needs including vegetarian and gluten free options. Visit their website and make your way up there for a hot cup of tea this winter and if you have time, stop in for a meal. You will not regret it.

Happy Eating!