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Artessano’s Colombian bowl with chicken
The list of must-try eateries in east Austin is overwhelming. Don’t expect reading about Artessano to make things easier for you. Artessano’s food trailer, located on East Sixth Street, has been delighting customers with authentic Colombian food for years. I met with owner, Carlos Quitian, and his nephew, Andres Amaya, to hear how they bring Colombian culture to Austin.
La Holly sits on the corner of Pedernales and East Sixth Street
Change is inevitable. But with change comes a bit of trepidation. Simon Madera, owner of La Holly, knows this feeling well. He took over Kellee’s Place last summer, yet kept the longstanding Tejano bar open as he worked on his project because he wanted the original building to stay intact. The outcome of Madera’s efforts is a modern cantina that respects east Austin’s history and aims to retain the neighborhood’s core essence.
Aiko Lyne, Head Pastry Chef at Emmer & Rye
A high schooler who knows exactly what she wants to be professionally is a rare find. I remember my high school days. I was only concerned with making a C in all my classes, in the hopes of getting out of my parents’ home soon. If someone asked what I wanted to be, I didn’t have much to say.
But I recently met an extraordinary 20-year-old here in Austin. Her name is Aiko Lyne, and she’s Head Pastry Chef at Emmer & Rye. On her day off, the two of us sat down for a chat at the restaurant. When I asked what she was doing there, she told me her definition of a day off is to help in the kitchen and plan for the next service.
This response gives you an idea of how much Lyne loves what she does, and how much she enjoys being at Emmer & Rye. [Read more…]
Fill up the table with Tex-Mex goodness at DK Maria’s in Austin
Imagine sitting around a campfire after a hard day of riding horses and herding cattle, tendrils of smoke wafting up from carne guisada in a cast iron kettle, and your stomach growling with hunger. You can recreate that satisfying sensation at DK Maria’s Legendary Tex-Mex in South Austin.
Bananarchy recently opened a new location at The University of Texas campus (Credit: Bananarchy)
Did you know we have a frozen banana paradise right here in Austin? Bananarchy is a local food truck specializing in delicious, vegan desserts. Just imagine a frozen banana plunged into chocolate, and then sprinkled in yummy toppings like M&M’s or Oreo crumbles. One taste and you’ll be hooked. I know I was!
Mia Italian’s outdoor patio is perfect for enjoying summer nights with a cocktail and tapas
(Credit: Mia Italian Tapas & Bar)
Every day is a good day to be a foodie in Austin. People from all over the world bring flair to the food they serve. Dee Dee brings Thai street food straight from Thailand. Kemuri Tatsu-ya and Chi’Lantro blend Asian roots with Texas barbecue to yield mind-blowing dishes.
And hidden in Rock Rose at Domain Northside, Mia Italian Tapas & Bar brings its own little twist to the Austin food scene: a marriage of Italian and Spanish cuisine.
The Salty Tom or Pepe’s Hibiscus Paloma—the choice is yours! (Credit: @dollarsaenz)
The name Salt Traders Coastal Cooking was inspired by the most crucial ingredient used in the kitchen. It’s also a reference to a precious commodity that brought work to the American (and specifically Texas) coastline, as far back as the 1800s.
And while the sister restaurant to Jack Allen’s Kitchen may not be selling salt or seashells by the seashore, its team members are cooking up seafood for the residents of Austin, inspired by some of the most memorable meals they’ve eaten by the sea.
I recently pulled up a chair at one of the tables in Round Rock to sample the fare. I was so impressed by what was served and how many of the ingredients were made in-house–from the sauces to the bread to the pickled veggies–that I just had to tell you about it.
Here are a few of the meal highlights. [Read more…]
Dee Dee owners, Lakana and Justin Trubiana
A PSA to regular customers, and anyone craving authentic northern Thai street food: Dee Dee has moved. Still on the east side, the food trailer, whose name translates to “good good” in Thai, now holds court at the corner of East Sixth Street and Pedernales Street.
Dee Dee is a regular part of my “I love food on the east side dinner rotation,” so I recently stopped by to speak with owners Justin and Lakana Trubiana about the new location, their story, and of course, the food. [Read more…]
Angelo the butcher looked like something from a horror movie. He had a weathered face, one eye, and wore a bloody apron. Everywhere he went, he had a butcher’s knife in hand. The man never smiled. To a 12-year-old boy in northern New Jersey, he was terrifying. He was also a culinary surgeon. Grunting and scowling, he’d whack up meat like a pianist tickles the ivories. Some of my fondest memories involve watching Angelo work his magic, while I waited for the deli guy to slice my cold cuts.
Butchering meat isn’t just a trade. It’s an art form. Proper meat preparation can turn a good meal legendary, and these six Austin butchers are carrying on the craft in fine style. Next time you need to cook up some ribs, grill a burger, or perfectly roast a filet mignon, skip the mega mart and swing by these local Austin butcher shops for premium cuts. [Read more…]
Hayley and her cookies will be your next Insta-obsession (Credit: @thehayleycakes)
If you have a major sweet tooth like I do, then you’re probably constantly on the lookout for delicious and unique desserts. Instagram does a good job of helping with my discovery process, especially when I want a local treat. Now I can have my cake and eat it, too, thanks to Austin-based HayleyCakes and Cookies.