Emmer and Rye Brings Passion and Freshly Milled Flours to Rainey Street

Nested in the Sky House building on Rainey Street, Emmer and Rye is poised to be a new restaurant darling. "How can you say that before they open?" you might ask. I'll respond with a several qualitative data points gathered from a preview tasting.

These guys are going to rock it.
 

1. They boast an all-star team. With Kevin Fink, Page Pressley, and Tavel Bristol-Joseph, impressive culinary pedigree, you better believe these chefs are going to bring something beautiful to the table.
2. The team's passion is incredible. One of my favorite quotes from Chef Kevin is, "If I ever lost the ability to learn everyday, it would be the greatest travesty." Those are words you want every leader to be saying.
3. Grinding grains from scratch. Not with bare hands, but with a fancy marvel of German engineering. I can't do justice on describing the different grains, techniques, and nuances of making your own flours. That task is best served by the Chefs themselves, but I have tasted the fruits of their labor. A restaurant that goes back to the basic, and I mean that far basic, is building a foundation on quality ingredients.
4. Kevin Fink's Wife, Alicynn. Holy Cow. This woman's resume reads like a Michelin Star, and the way Chef Kevin introduced his wife makes you shed a tear. It couldn't be more blatantly obvious that their hearts and souls are in this endeavor.
5. Somehow, after the tasting, I had a strong urge ride a bike along country roads in Denmark and tickle the flower blossoms as I go by. You probably won't get that same feel simply by enjoying the food at Emmer and Rye. But if you get a moment to chat with any of the staff, get ready to be inspired to do something crazy, like visit another country to taste their cuisine.
6. Two words: preview tasting. I'll leave you with some appetite stimulating photos. Now put on your boots and run over as soon as they open at the end of October.

This is the marvel of German engineering, otherwise known as the miller. My favorite freshly milled grain was the fire thrust emmer. Freshly milled grain has a nuttiness and earthiness that is unforgettably aromatic. 

Our first course was Puffed Fire Threshed Emmer Cracker - Raw gulf shrimp, buttermilk, Springdale Thai chilies, fennel, amaranth blossoms, and puffed Sonoran white wheat berries.

 

And the second course was Fire Threshed Emmer Arrepa - Eggplant chow chow, toasted habanero, Malabar spinach blossom, sunflower, fermented peppers, and fermented apple cider vinegar. Did you know that the malabar comes from Hausbar Farm?

This toast was really tasty. I could survive on this quite well. Red Fife Sourdough Toast - Nixtamilized black eyed peas, golden eye creamer peas, garlic chive, mustard frill, and garlic blossoms.

Fourth up was Rye Garganelli -Windy hills goat, sweet and fermented peppers, hoja santa, papollo, and cultured butter.

Homemade goat cheese.

Dessert was Tres Leches Cheesecake -Three-layer cake with traditional Tres Leches cake topped with New York style cheesecake and a Malabar spinach berry glaze. This eye catching dessert was so beautiful, it was hard to stop looking at it.

Everything about this cake is just perfect, including the flavor.

This cake was on so delicious with the different textures and pop of color. I thoroughly enjoyed it with my eyes and tastebuds!

Look Back at Gardner Austin

One of the new things I'm starting on my blog is the "Look Back" series in which I'll share my experiences at events and restaurants that have been opened for at least three months.  Sometimes I'll visit new restaurants in their early days, but I like to let the dust settle before diving into the menu. As my good fortune would have it, Gardner happened to be launching a new bar menu and invited some guest to partake in their offerings. Thank you so much, Gardner for having us in for a lovely tasting.

Gardner's new cocktail menu was dangerously subtle and sophisticated. The drinks were not overly forward - which is a refreshingly different from the heavy handed cocktails I typically make at home. This is a photo of the rum, turmeric, and strawberry. I'm a fan of turmeric as supplement, and I'm definitely a fan of how well it plays in a cocktail.

The spring menu has several dishes that make you welcome the warm patio weather and sunny skies. This dish with gnocchi doesn't appear to be on the menu anymore, but if you do see gnocchi on there again, you ought to order it.

This is the trout roe with celery, strawberry, chive. The drastically different textures and colors are make this a truly interesting dish. The salty gelatinous roe with the vegetative ice was a great combination.

It looks like item, named Alliums, isn't on the menu either, and I feel sad for those mushroom lovers who miss it. This umami laden dish was reminiscent of many Asian dishes that are onion and mushroom based. Photo by John M. P. Knox.

The Ultimate Guide to Where you Should Eat in Austin - 2014 Edition

Where should I go eat in Austin?  You probably hear this question 1000 times, and if you’re like me, it isn’t an easy answer.  It usually follows with a list of questions like “What kind of food? Which part of town?  How much have you budgeted? Do you have any specific dislikes?”  *Most photos by John M. P. Knox

These questions can make navigating Austin’s food scene more complex than making chocolate caramel sea salt lavender macarons.  Here’s my 2014 handy dandy guide for where you should go eat broken down by category. Some of these fit into many categories - like date.  Just about any of these fine establishments could be a great date night - depending on the stage of the dating process.  I’ll make note of multi-category fittings as we move along.

*Note: I didn't cover BBQ because FedManWalking already covers it in great detail.  

 
Ramen Tatsu-ya number 2. 

Italian - There is good Italian in Austin, peeps.  You just need to find it.  

Andiamo - This is a cozy place on the north side of Austin.  Sweet, quiet, and a pleasant experience for all.

Bulfaina Pizza - I haven’t been here yet.  But the chatter about it is so great that I just had to add it.*Update: I tried it last weekend. The pizzas were fantastic. There will be a wait, but you can pass the time with their beer and wine menu.

Botticelli’s - Like Andiamo, it has a sweet quiet feel located on SoCo.  No hype.  Just butter and cream in the sauces.

Patrizi’s - I love this place because the owners are so darn cute and friendly.  Also, the dishes are very tasty, and their story about moving from Beaumont beyond heartwarming.  

 
Josh Loving behind the bar at Fino circa Jan. 2011.

Cocktails - Everyone needs a good cocktail once in a while.  

Tigress - You go here for the drinks.  But what you get is a hug from Pam.  

Drink.Well - Michael, the owner, says that if you don’t get the burger, I’m gonna give you a spanking. I mean I will give the spankings, but him.  

Whisler’s Austin - I haven’t been here yet, but this is the unofficial post whatever you were doing earlier meet up for many of the industry peeps.  I guess it’ll do.  

Half Step - There’s this really cute bartender there, Rob.  This man made a banana creme something, and I cried tears of joy.  

Beer - Because this is nectar of the Gods.  All of them.  

Black Star Coop - Dog friendly, beard friendly.  

Easy Tiger - They have a lovely beer and bread selection.

Draught House - Dog friendly, and it is pretty much the beer connoisseurs hang out.  

Gingerman - I used to come here often, but parking downtown is a pain in my big toe.  

 
Uchiko.  Isn't it beautiful?  

Indian - I bleed curry. Just FYI.  Indian cuisine has a sweet place in my heart.  

WhipIn - This is also great for beer, and dog friendly too.  

Bombay Grill Austin- This unassuming eatery in Bee Caves is actually quite delightful.  I like to get their butter chicken and naan.

Asiana Indian Cuisine Austin - Two words.  Lentil donuts.  

Dogs - Sometimes you happen to have the pooches with you.  They gotta eat too.

Banger’s - Just don’t let the dogs drink too much beer.  

Midway Trailer Park - I like that this is fenced (not that it is dog proof fencing), but at least you can keep your little ones corralled.  

Pretty much anywhere on South Congress with a patio - For reals, but please keep your dog on a leash.  Cars there be driving crazy.

 
Odd Duck Pretzels.

Young Gourmands in Training (You’re teaching your kids to have a sophisticated palate and table manners)

Roll on Sushi  - This is a great experience for kids as they have menu items more approachable by kids.  

Quality Seafood - Fish tacos for the kids.  Fish tacos for you.

Whole Foods - This is a great place to the little ones to try new foods in a fun environment.  Let’s just make sure they keep their hands out of the food bars and samples.  

First Dates - If you want date numero dos, ditch Trudy’s and the Olive Garden.  

Lenoir - This place will show him or her that you are classy, thoughtful, and have impeccable taste.

Green Pastures - Peacocks.  Whatever Chef makes with that brioche.  Your hearts will swell with love and lust.  

Asti - If one of ya eats garlic, the other needs to as well.  

Arro - The feel here should set the mood - modern French with an Austin flair.  Get the lobster bisque and move onto the date two.  

Happy Hour - Getting your nibbles and sips on.

Perry’s - This is also known as Pork Chop Sundays

Little Barrel and Brown - The cocktails here did not disappoint.

Hightower Austin - Fried chickpeas and cocktails should be on everyone’s order.

Peche - More cocktails and small bites.

Salty Sow - I brought my sister here for happy hour on her birthday, and we got one of everything on the menu.  I am not opposed to doing that again.

 
Zesty!

Sushi Date - It is becoming an institution now.

Uchi - No words necessarily.

Uchiko - Get dessert.

Soto - This is a hidden gem in Cedar Park.  Get the flaming salmon.

Musashino - This is where Tyson Cole started.  In 50 years, this might be a food museum of where Japanese food in Austin gained traction.  

Celebratory Dates - Did you just graduate?  Let’s go celebrate!  

Odd Duck - Hola, delicious pretzel sticks of yumminess. Also, cocktails.

Fino - Cocktails, and some of the best deep fried olives you can imagine.  

Hudson’s on the Bend - This is an Austin classic. Very old Austin.

Congress Austin - New Austin.  New and James Bond-ish. Get cocktails.

Swift's Attic - If there’s some with meat here, you should get it.  I’m just saying.  

Qui - The cocktail program here is amazing.  It is as inventive as the food.  Also, try the ice cream sandwich.  

Crowd Pleasers - These restaurants can please an array of palates and without sacrificing the integrity of a beautifully executed dish.

Jack Allen’s - Almost everything on this menu is approachable from all angles, and they donate a proceed of queso sales to the Lone Star Paralysis Foundation.

Sway - I really like Sway for being interesting and inventive while being familiar enough for everyone.  It is also fancy enough to take business clients.  

Moonshine Cafe and Grill - Comfort food with an upscale feel that make your dinner feel fancy.

Trace - Tell Chef Lawrence I sent you and ask for foie gras pancakes.

 
Here's one of everything on the menu of Kin and Comfort.

New to Asian Food - While the Asian food scene in Austin grows, here’s some places to take the not yet indoctrinated.  

Ramen Tatsu-ya - If I have to explain to you that this to you, you need to get on the Internet and watch them on tv.  I won’t even waste my time trying to explain to you why this is one of the catalyst for Asian food in Austin.  

Kin and Comfort - Located in Hana World Market on Parmer, who would have thought they could be churning out food that made even my traditional mother nod her head in approval?

Snow Monster - This is a fun shaved ice join that reminds me of my childhood.  Taro rules.  

Haiky - This is a great Vietnamese restaurant that is very approachable, but it still maintains integrity of the traditional dishes.  

Now that you know where the go for that occasion or cuisine, cheers!

A Texan in Toscana - Sienna Ristrorante Toscana

Here's a new find for me, but not a new Austin Restaurant.  I was invited to a media tasting at Sienna Ristorante Toscana located close to the 2222 and 360 intersection.  The physical restaurant is beautiful, rich with architectural stories embedded into the walls.  Chef Harvey Harris is full of stories and surprises.  He invited me to hunt wild boar.  He gets a gold star for fun! The dinner started off our usual fun - whipping out the camera. Here's the lovely Michelle Cheng.  This was one of my favorite appetizers.  Bacon wrapped scallop and grilled figs!!! My heart skipped a beat.  This next dish is brasato di cinghiale - otherwise known as braised wild boar.  It was juicy and hearty, perfect for a Winter evening.  Pan-fried cheese with marinara - like an uber fancy fried cheese.  Lovely ravioli with tangy sauce.  This was one of my favorite - Tagliatelle alla Bolognese.  If you haven't tried homemade pasta, it is a different experience.  Subtle, but noticeable.  I can only describe it as being more pliable.  It is also definitely different from packaged "fresh" pasta.  And the evening ended with dessert: tiramisu, goat cheese panna cotta, and a flourless chocolate cake.  A big thanks to Chef Harvey for inviting us our for a lovely evening in Toscana.  This is definitely a restaurant to visit again.

Lobster Party at Confucious Restaurant in Houston,TX

You might say that I'm somewhat particular about my Asian cuisine.  You might also say that I'm very picky about my seafood.  You would most likely say that about Cooking for Engineers.  You can read his review here.

With that said, I bring you some food pornorific posts with lobster.  Unfortunately, this restaurant is not in Austin.  Confucious Restaurant is in Houston (8880 Bellaire Boulevard Houston, TX 77036‎ (713) 271-6888) in a shopping center.  It is very typical of many Asian restaurants in Houston.  It lacks a website, has no social media channels, but is packed tight with hungry customers.

This restaurant is the go to place for a traditional dish of lobster with ginger and green onions, one of my favorites.  Every table will have at least a plate or two of these lovely lobsters.  They sell for market price, and are kept live in the tanks along the back wall.  On the night we went, they were a mere 18.99 for two!!!!!  Did you scream in delight?  I did.  Now enjoy!

The lobster came out pretty quickly.  So did the cameras. 

Nerding out over lobsters.

We also ordered claypot beef with eggplant.  I thought the flavors were nice. 

From left to right, we have sizzling chicken with black bean sauce, the LOBSTER, beef ribs with eggplant, and water spinach. 

I really liked this chicken, and I was a bit annoyed with the wait staff took the dish away with one piece of chicken still on it. 

MMmmmm......Lobsters!!!!!!

#Austin Ethnic Food Round Up - The Secret List

These aren't necessarily a list.  Rather these restaurants don't typically have a big web presence or a team of public relationships professions getting the word out.  *Secret list subject to change.  *List isn't a secret anymore.  In bigger cities like San Francisco, Houston, and New York City, there's a wealth of traditional ethnic foods in breath and depth.  Ethnic food in Austin is not always easy to find.  However, in the last decade or so, the ethnic food landscape in Austin has improved drastically.  Unfortunately, marketing and public relations for some of these ethnic restaurant isn't always a priority.  I put together this list of restaurants that either I like or have been recommended to me.  None of these restaurants have a fancy marketing plan or even a website. So here I am, giving you list of current ethnic foods in Austin.  Asia Cafe  8650 Spicewood Springs Rd #115  Austin, TX 78759   (512) 331-5788 This restaurant has been around for a while, so you might have heard about it. I have noticed lately that the level of spiciness has dropped significantly. This restaurant is also BYOB.  My favorite is the 759. Salt and Pepper Eggplant with Pork filling. I also like 699, the Seafood Combination pot.  Asiana Indian Cuisine 801 East William Cannon Dr. Austin, TX 78745 This restaurant isn't "pretty," but I assure you that this is one of the best Indian buffets in Austin.  The flavors are really interesting and distinct.  Weekend lunch buffet for an adult was $11. The saag paneer is incredibly creamy, and the naan is perfect with it. The lentil donut is fantastic.  It is crispy on the outside and tender on the inside.  Dip these little babies into the tandoori sauce for some fun.   Do beware of the whole peppercorns though. The mango cream is also really tasty.  I only had three servings.  A+A Chinese Sichuan Garden  13376 N Hwy 183 Ste 100  Austin, TX 78750   (512) 258-5445 I haven't eaten here yet, though a friend has recommended it many times.  She recommends mapo tofu, spicy fish fillet, the eggplant and ground beef with brown sauce stuff, and twice cooked pork. Supposedly, the previous chef from Asia Cafe opened this restaurant.  The menu is pretty similar to Asia Cafe. Coco's Cafe  8557 Research Boulevard  512-833-6588 and 1910 Guadalupe Street  512-236-9398 I used to love Coco's, but the food has been pretty inconsistent lately.  I still get the shaved ice.  Curry in a Hurry  2121 W Parmer Ln  Austin, TX 78727  (512) 821-0000  Two words: Thali Special.  Get it.  Thank me later.  All menu items are vegetarian. You won't miss the meat. Ho Ho Chinese BBQ  13000 N IH-35  Bldg 6  Austin, TX 78753  (512) 339-9088 My parents like this place, so it has to be passable to their high standards.  I've only been here a few times, and I thought it was pretty good.  It isn't quite like Houston Chinese restaurants, but quite tasty.  Michi Ramen (location pending) Before they closed the trailer in hopes of a brick and mortar location, this was rumored to be amazing, authentic ramen.  I had it once, and it was quite tasty, though I'm not a ramen connoisseur.   Let's hope they open up another location.  Milano Cafe  4601 Southwest Pkwy  Austin, TX 78735  (512) 428-6076 I cannot say that I'm a connoisseur of Italian food, but dang, do I love this restaurant. The owners lived all over Europe, and the menu is a mash up of different European styles. Get dessert.  Talk to Sami.  Tell them I sent you.  Pakwan Indian Restaurant 3601 W. William Cannon Dr., Austin TX 78749 (512) 366-5204 I tried this restaurant twice with some friends, and I liked it. I can't vouch for its authenticity.  It is a little bit more mainstream.  The lunch buffet (occasional coupon on their website) is a steal at $10.  It does have a large meat selection, and the dishes are well-executed.  I would eat the lunch buffet everyday, but then I would start to waddle around.  Ramen Tatsu-Ya 8557 Research Blvd. #126  Austin, TX 78758 I thought much about whether or not this restaurant should be put on here.  They have gained quite a bit of attention, and I was trying to focus on restaurants that didn't have a big media following.  I haven't tried it yet, but many people really like their ramen.  I'll update this once I try it.  Rice Bowl Cafe  (pic below) 11220 N Lamar St   Austin, TX 78758 (512) 835-8888 This place was recommended to me by Peter Tsai and Michelle Cheng. I love the mapo tofu and the spicy fish and green onion pie here.  The Hunan chicken and Sichuan chicken are also fantastic.  A knockout dish here is the three cup chicken.  It makes me glad that I'm FOB.  Sichuan Garden  110 N Interstate 35 #240, Round Rock, TX (512) 238-0098 Michael Chu recommended this place to me.  Here's what he's recommend.  E1 - House Special Crispy Chicken G13 - Boiled Fillet with Spicy Sauce (shuizhu yu) B1 - Sliced Beef & Mow with Szechuan Style (fuqi feipian) H2 - Lamb with Hot Cumin I've only been there once for a pick up order, so I haven't really solidified my recommendations yet. Swad   9515 N Lamar Blvd   Austin, TX 78753   (512) 997-7923 I love the samosas and the masala rice here.  The menu is vegetarian, just in case you were wondering where's the meat. The Thali here is great too.  I'd get it if you like to try a little bit of everything.  Taste of Ethiopia   1100 Grand Ave Pkwy  Pflugerville, TX 78613  (512) 251-4053 This restaurant is a little gem way out in Pville.  Woinee, the owner, is incredible kind and generous.  She is a wealth of knowledge, and you'll love her as much as you love the food. If you like coffee, try the coffee ceremony (not just a cup of coffee).  It is about $30 for groups, and it takes about 25 minutes.  Woinee roasts the green coffee beans on the stove for this ceremony! A group of friends and I went to Taste of Ethiopia for lunch on New Years Eve.  Check out the photos below.  Texas Bakery 10901 N Lamar Blvd, Austin, Located in the MT Market Shopping center on the north corner. (pic below) This is not really a "Texas Bakery."  There are no kolaches.  There are no giant cheesecakes.  This is really an Asian bakery in Austin, TX. Asian desserts are much less sweet and less rich as compared to American style dessert.  However, the breads tend to contain eggs, and they tend to be more like a brioche.  Some of the items are not as tender as I like, but they are fairly new. Please keep this place open so I can enjoy my comfort food. Rice Bowl Cafe Texas Bakery Taste of Ethiopia Taste of Ethiopia More Taste of Ethiopia as the last 2011 meal. The before. And the after. Green coffee beans, prior to roasting. After roasting the beans. Traditional coffee ceremony. Pouring of the coffee. Post coffee mess.