Food Travels, Spring 2015 Edition (Austin and Palm Springs)

I traveled a little bit back in the spring and snapped some photos of my favorite foods along the way.  Consider this your quick guide to eating your way through Austin and Palm Springs!

Austin, TX
I've posted about food in Austin before, but I tried a new place this time that I can' wait to try again the next time I'm down there!  I was in the south part of town and found a place called Jack Allen's Kitchen, which I hear was founded by the guy of Z Tejas fame.  All I know is that it was DELICIOUS!

Each entree comes with housemade crisps and pimento cheese:

I ordered the crispy salmon.  It's not deep fried like the name would suggest; rather, it is seared so well that the inside remains flaky and perfect while the outside takes on a nice, crispy texture.

As good as the fish was (as well as the accompanying tomatillo sauce!) the real star of the show was the crab/microgreen/tomato salad.  They say they're a locally sourced restaurant and you could tell.  The tomatoes were so fresh, the crab was plentiful, and whatever sauce they used to bind it all together was heavenly.  (I've been told it was a Russian dressing but I'm only familiar with the red kind so I haven't figured this one out yet.)


Palm Springs
There's really only one name you need to know:  Sherman's.  This little deli is located along one of the main streets of town and is ALWAYS packed.

You can't go wrong with pastrami or corned beef, but I definitely recommend you split it with a friend.  Look at the size of my half!

Their dessert case is unreal.  I got a slice of the chocolate bombe and I finished about half of my slice before giving in.  I sincerely regret forgetting the rest of it was in the hotel fridge because I would have had it for breakfast the next day!  It was incredible!

Thanks for joining me as I remembered my favorite on-the-road foods and treats.  If you'll excuse me, I need to go find some chocolate cake!

Adi

10 ways to kick off your summer

Today was the last day of school, so in my mind this afternoon officially marked the beginning of summer.  Longer evenings!  No school zones!  More playing outside!

A few reasons why I'm excited it's summer:

• more sunlight makes it feel like I can fit more into my day
• working four long days so I can have Fridays off!
• the slower pace
• lightning bugs!
• my birthday
• our anniversary
• traveling to new places
• more time with the puppies!
• the opportunity to slow down and not be so rushed

Let's ring in the new year season.  Here are 10 quick ways to get into the summer groove:

1) Make a pitcher of lemonade.

2) Invest in a rocking chair for your porch or patio.



3) Go on an evening walk and look for lightning bugs (or fireflies for the non-southern).

4) Host a cookout.

5) Visit a farmer's market (or a friend's veggie garden).



6) Light up some sparklers...bonus points if you write your name before it burns out!

7) Road trip!



8) Set up a kiddie pool for the kids (or puppies).

9) Attend an outdoor concert or music festival.



10) Go old school--gather up the neighbors and have an old-fashioned ice cream social or progressive dinner.

Here's to a long, relaxing summer!  How will you kick it off?

Adi

Road Trip: Austin

Occasionally I will feature some delicious cuisine I find when I hit the road.  For this first one I'm featuring Austin!  I stayed on the edge of UT's campus and was treated to views like this:

and this:

I've had hits and misses there but either way there is NEVER a shortage of options in this town.  In fact, each time I return I run into people who ask me if I went to "Fill-In-The-Blank" and then I have more to add to my list of things to try next time.  

A few weeks ago I saw something posted on Facebook about the top 100 things to eat in the summer in Austin.  Just going by the pictures I picked a couple to try and they were FABULOUS!

First up:  filet mignon pho from Phonatic

(http://pho-natic.com)

This was the most flavorful, tender pho I'd ever had.  The spring roll was fine but the pho was the star of this meal.  Wow!

After cruising around town a little I headed back to campus where I searched for a certain food truck park boasting a certain ice cream vendor.  Cow Tipping Creamery (how cute is that name?!) was absolutely worth the hunt.  I ordered the "Fluffer Nutter."  

 Toasted marshmallows (as in, you have to wait for it because they're toasting multiple layers of marshmallows), peanut butter drizzle, Ghiradelli chocolate ice cream, and crushed Nutter Butter cookies.  

I think that deserves another picture:

Ummm, who needs me to drop off paperwork to the State in Austin so I can get my hands on another one of these?  Anyone?  Anyone?

I was happily stuffed that night.  The next morning I woke up bright and early so I could hit up a classic:  Kerbey Lane Cafe.  If I have to find my own breakfast when I'm in town, this is where I'll be finding it. 

Buttermilk pancakes bigger than your face!  Love it!

I know this last one isn't technically Austin but when you're driving up I35 you HAVE to exit in West and go to the Czech Stop.  Get the pumpkin cream cheese kolaches, take them up on their offer to warm it up for you, and you'll be singing their praises the rest of the ride home.

This is how I road trip.  

Until next time,

Adi