Old-fashioned perfection
There’s a little blue house on the corner of West Lynn and Waterston where I want to live. It’s a perfect balance of old and new, with distressed hardwood floors, a white marble bar, and a cozy patio with upholstered benches and punchy green pillows.
This is Josephine House, a delightful Clarksville gem with one of the best brunches in all of Austin (or anywhere, for that matter).
As the little sister of Jeffrey’s, Josephine House has quite a reputation to uphold. My first thought as I walked through the door was that if the food lived up to the aesthetic, then I was in love.
On the marble counter or from the kitchen…
The brunch menu at Josephine House boasts an Italian savoriness, French sophistication, and Hill Country farm-to-table philosophy that comes across as special, yet casual.
On the Marble Counter
Room-temperature offerings are available “on the marble counter” in the form of local melons and prosciutto, burrata with Hill Country peaches and hierloom tomatoes, and fresh baked pastries from Chef Alexandra Manley.
Even the coffee at Josephine House is thoughtful, with French press arriving in a silver pot accompanied by a tiny ceramic cream-and-sugar set.
Burrata, Hill Country peaches, heirloom tomatoes, and garden herbs
From the Kitchen
As if everything the marble counter has to offer isn’t enough, you can also order off of the “from the kitchen” side of the menu, filled with fresh versions of classics by Chef Libbey Goldberg.
Being the dainty gals we are, my friends and I ordered the Steak and Eggs which, instead of clunky and heavy, turned out to be a perfectly portioned arrangement of medium rare tri-tip, a fried egg, baby potatoes, and a sauce resembling a pesto/salsa verde hybrid.
Other tempting brunch dishes from the kitchen include fried chicken, lemon ricotta pancakes, and a buckwheat crepe with gruyere and prosciutto.
While the atmosphere inside the house couldn’t be better, we couldn’t resist the patio on a rare 75 degree August Saturday. The huge shade trees surrounding the house kept the sun away during our bright brunch, but I can’t wait to go back to see them at night when the globe lights are twinkling. Between the laid-back atmosphere and phenomenal food, it was hard not to camp out all day.
With the chic vibe and sophisticated food, you’d expect service at Josephine House to be on the slightly aloof side. Wonderfully enough, you’d be very wrong. Dressed in crisp white aprons and button-downs, the servers were warm and attentive during our nearly two hour stay. They didn’t seem to mind our constant gushing either, whether over the sweet and crispy kouign-amann or the seriously beautiful, 1940s-style ceramic plates.
Garden party vibe in historic Clarksville
As the fifth contender in the Battle of the Brunches series, Josephine House may have taken the cake with its unmatched vibe, irreproachable food, and friendly service. While I hesitate to speak too soon (we’ve still got one more review in the series to go), I think we may have found the best brunch spot in Austin.
@samwchampion asks:
Could Josephine House be the best brunch spot in Austin? Leave a comment with your thoughts!
Battle of the Brunches Round 1: South Congress Cafe
Battle of the Brunches Round 2: Jack Allen’s Kitchen
Battle of the Brunches Round 3: Moonshine Patio Bar and Grill
It’s one of my favorites!
http://www.atasteofkoko.com/best-brunches-in-austin
As good as this place sounds, Green Pastures’ Sunday brunch sets the Gold Standard for quality, ambience, and variety. At $36, it’s a great value, even for a vegetarian like me.
I will try Josephine House soon; it definitely sounds like a tasty option!