Cris Mueller - The Austinot

Go Inside Kerbey Lane’s Kitchen After 35 Years

April 27, 2015 by Cris Mueller 1 Comment

Executive Chef Joel Welch of Kerbey Lane

Executive Chef Joel Welch shapes the Kerbey Lane menu (Credit: Moonshine Images)

Any true foodie loves to experiment with their food and attempt to recreate their favorite dish from their favorite restaurant. Today you and I get to take a peek inside one of Austin’s most beloved restaurants as they celebrate their 35th anniversary. Executive Chef Joel Welch invited The Austinot inside the Kerbey Lane Cafe kitchen for an introduction to some of their wildly popular dishes that have stood the test of time. [Read more…]

Support Central Texas Farm to Table at Farmgrass Fest

April 7, 2015 by Cris Mueller Leave a Comment

A whispering spring storm rolling toward the farm (Credit: Hobie Caldwell)

Spring in Central Texas stirs up an urge to relive outdoor traditions, like live music and grilled foods. To that end, Farmgrass and Simmons Family Farms have harvested an idyllic farm setting in Niederwald, Texas to host this year’s Farmgrass Fest on May 3, 2015.

Just over thirty minutes south of Austin, you’ll experience the farm fresh aromas of the grill and scenic views to bring you close to the land and the farmers whose hands pull the roots from the ground.

I tried to limit the number of times I used the word community and some version of the word farm within the bounds of this story. The fact is, those two words are the sum of what Farmgrass is. [Read more…]

Austin Food Bloggers Embrace Cultural Ties to Food

March 18, 2015 by Cris Mueller 4 Comments

Are you connected to the faces of your family’s oldest recipes? Find out who was sitting at your table, fork in hand. Credit: Annette Priest

As the food stratosphere continues to change at a national level, Austin’s food blogging scene is closing the generational gap with culturally significant plates served in the home kitchen. Three Austin food bloggers, Kay Marley-Dilworth, Amy Kritzer and Sahar Arafat-Ray have embraced their heritages (Mexican, Jewish and Palestinian, respectively) by bringing family recipes back to the table.

An image that ignites a food memory, a taste that transports you back to your childhood or a familiar aroma that reminds you of a cooking experience from years past. Sadly, sensory driven food memories of family kitchens have been lost as current generations prefer pre-packaged meals over home cooking.

Kay, Amy and Sahar shared similar food loving stories at SXSW SouthBites this week. They may convince you to get you back into your grandmother’s cookbook. [Read more…]

The Peached Tortilla: Path from Food Truck to Brick and Mortar

March 16, 2015 by Cris Mueller Leave a Comment

The Peached Tortilla food truck (Credit: Megan Heller)

This past weekend, SXSW Southbites gathered four of the brightest, most inventive and hard-working individuals among food truck royalty to talk about more than just their food. The panel was about the legacy their brands will leave behind and what goes on behind the curtain when you’re talking food trucks.

Eric Silverstein, founder of The Peached Tortilla, was Austin’s local voice. He shared candid details about his path from street food to brick and mortar, and his story is one of the most interesting I’ve heard in recent years. [Read more…]

Austin Feeds Biscuit Envy With These 3 Delicious Choices

February 26, 2015 by Cris Mueller Leave a Comment

Red’s Porch savory Cheese Biscuits (Credit: Red’s Porch)

Call it a comeback, a fashionable re-entry, a timely coming of age. No matter what you call it, biscuits are blazing in Austin’s culinary spotlight.

With a multitude of flakey and layered, baked delights to choose from, my current favorites will only make a small dent in the plethora of biscuits the world is offering for the tasting. Nonetheless, here are three delicious choices in town. [Read more…]

Unconventional Romance for Sweet Austin Valentine’s Day

February 4, 2015 by Cris Mueller Leave a Comment

Love Bites shark cookie at Quack’s 43rd Street Bakery in Hyde Park

Two simply sweet words can change a person’s outlook on the most pink and red holiday we as Americans celebrate each year…“Be Mine!”

This got me thinking–in a rather unconventional way–about what I consider mine, the love of life and food that brings me joy. The story behind the patron saint of lovers is filled with passion and an unconventional romance, so I thought this year I would see what Austin has to offer the more unconventional Valentine. [Read more…]

Impress Your Friends with School House Pub’s Libations 101

January 21, 2015 by Cris Mueller Leave a Comment

Just a lil’ neighborhood pub (Credit: Nicolai McCray)

Have you ever wanted to be the teacher’s pet? Now’s your chance! Grab a desk in the front row and get educated about libations, cocktails and spirits.

No matter how you say it, we’re buying into the art and creativity behind these boozey concoctions and School House Pub is handing out the grades. You may not receive a paper certificate or a gold star, but you will get a 101 style education about some of the cocktail worlds most recognizable trends, classic techniques and the history behind recipes, plus fun tasting sessions.

“Libations 101” is a twelve part educational series hosted on the second Monday of each month at School House Pub (2207 Manor Road). For roughly $10 per month, you can participate in an adult and social learning environment, in the comfort of your neighborhood pub. [Read more…]

Austin Brands for Your Healthy Lifestyle in the New Year

January 2, 2015 by Cris Mueller Leave a Comment

Whol-E Water (Credit: Sam O’Brien)

Tradition proposes that as we wrap up another year, it’s time to put resolutions in place to begin the New Year with a new lease on life.

Although there are many local options, here are three stand-out Austin businesses to help you resolve, refresh and renew your tired routine.

Whol-E Water: The Transparent Choice

Make a lifestyle choice and give your body premium alkaline hydration with Whol-E Water. There is an entire fact-filled scientific theory behind the benefits of the 9.4+ pH water bottled by Whol-E Water, but let me break it [Read more…]

Taste a Different Side of Austin: Cold Brews and Chocolatiers

December 17, 2014 by Cris Mueller Leave a Comment

Wayward Chocolat ganache pieces, created in Austin (Credit: CourtPie Photography)

Indulgence is a welcomed notion for any food lover, and today I indulged in two flavors known to regularly bring a smile to my face…chocolate and coffee.

I selected three local cold brew coffees and four local chocolatiers and hit the kitchen with an open palate, a patient photographer and trusty beverage consultant Darren Mykowsky.

After tasting each of the uniquely different locally drawn chocolates, my esteemed brood of tasting professionals (a kitchen full of buddies) and I divvied up the chocolate remains and paired each with its rightful cold brew cocktail partner. Let’s get caffeinated! [Read more…]

Top 4 Happy Hour Hideouts in East Austin

December 1, 2014 by Cris Mueller 2 Comments

Reason number 8,693 that we love Austin: Our ever changing landscape of gastronomic and cocktail excursions.

I recently moved to a new neighborhood and have since found my way into a wonderland of neighborhood jaunts I can’t seem to get enough of. Take a gander at my short list of East Austin happy hour favorites and you may find a new refuge of your own. [Read more…]