restaurant reviews Archives

FoodFash’s Favorite Brunch Spot

December 8, 2014 by Kristin

There are two things that FoodFash doesn’t particularly enjoy: restaurant reviews and committing to a single favorite. For reasons as simple as food is personal, company kept is critical to a dining experience, and I can {sometimes} be fickle – reviews and a single favorite are just not typical FoodFash offerings.

But today, as I sit here looking through my Instagram library, I can’t help but notice I have a clear favorite in the brunch department. Josephine House has become my go-to spot, and here’s why:

– I rarely order the same thing twice. This is a huge feat for a restaurant, to get me out of a dish rut. If I really, really love a dish, I’m most likely going to order it every time.

– The dishes are unique. Forget your typical eggs benedict, shrimp & grits, and pancakes, Josephine House’s menu is full of dishes that you’ll only find at Josephine House. Check out the menu! It’s creative and adventurous and I never leave thinking “I could have made this better at home”.

– Cucumber gimlet. Theirs is of the best I’ve had and they never flinch at my off-menu order.

– Ambiance. Whether seated indoors or out, I feel like I’m on vacation whenever I arrive. Maybe this is why I bring every visitor that comes my way to brunch here?

– Location. It’s a mere three blocks from my house and I love walking through my neighborhood and arriving at such an adorable spot.

As far as FoodFash dish recommendations go, I’ll always order something savory and egg-topped. I’ve been digging their grit-equivalent dishes {polenta in the middle picture and farro in the bottom picture}. And the steak and eggs is definitely worthy of being a rotating regular.

Milwaukee Adventures

May 20, 2014 by Kristin

My new favorite thing is combining out of town wedding weekends with mom/daughter trips. Last June, we adventured to Sonoma for Ryan’s wedding weekend. And this past weekend, we met in Milwaukee for Steph’s wedding.

Immediately after dropping our luggage off at the hotel, we headed to the Milwaukee Public Market, where I remembered having a big ol’ lobster during a previous visit. We ordered St. Paul Fish Company’s lobster dinner as well as two of every oyster variety on the menu. Our favorites: Blue Point, Karheen Pass, Charles Island – permanently added to the memory bank.

After a much needed nap {6 am flight!}, we were off to Ardent for dinner. Finding this somewhat hidden gem on the James Beard “best new restaurant” nominee list led to some sky-high expectations, but it was apparent that Ardent was up for the challenge.

We ordered almost everything on the menu: escargot {pictured above}, salt roasted celeriac {mom’s favorite}, milk pan au lait, beef tartare {my favorite, pictured above}, beef with turnip greens, the parsnip dessert, and a bottle of red. The mom-daughter-duo was in agreement that this was one of the best meals either of us had ever experienced. And just when we thought it couldn’t get any better, our server delivered two macarons {that we “cheers’ed} and a wrapped breakfast bread for the next morning with the most adorable note. The entire night was to a tee!

Saturday day was filled with site-seeing and cheese browsing.

And then I was off to Steph and Jon’s wedding at the Pier Wisconsin. So. Beautiful. The entire night was filled with happy tears, laughter, old friends and new.

And on our last day, the mission was brunch. We walked a seemingly hefty hike to Blue Jacket, another place on which I had done some mini research.

We learned that Milwaukee bloody marys are served with a beer shooter {Austin bloody marys should follow suit}.

And the biggest lesson of all, Southerners aren’t the only folks capable of making perfect grits. Andouille sausage, brussels sprouts, pickled asparagus, and a slow egg – the combination that topped these smoky, cheese grits was phenomenal.

This trip was the perfect combination of quality time and quality food. The only thing I would have done differently is snap a few shots with my mama, who is unpictured in this post!

Quattro Gatti Blogger Dinner

April 11, 2014 by Kristin

Quattro Gatti was my second lunch spot as an Austin resident. Before my first day of work, I walked past the Capitol with my new co-workers to a quaint Italian restaurant where we would spend the hour eating the most delicious food, talking about my recent Tampa to Austin adventure. Shortly after, I discovered that Quattro Gatti would be my favorite Italian restaurant in this whole darn town.

I convinced old co-workers, friends, and new co-workers to come with me whenever I was having a severe gnocchi craving. And then… I tried the pizza. And aside from wondering why I had never ventured beyond gnocchi, I was completely blown away by pizza perfection. I had to tell everyone. I had to share this hidden gem with my blogging buds.

I cold called the owner of the restaurant, Gianfranco, and asked if he’d be willing to host a few bloggers, sharing his story and a few of his favorite dishes. With the most genuine enthusiasm, he welcomed us into his space.

Gianfranco spoiled our group with pizzas {margherita, affumicata, 4 formaggi}, risotto with saffron and sausage, pappardelle with rabbit, and an endless assortment of sinful desserts. But the best surprise of all? When he led us to the wood fired oven and went through the pizza process, start to finish.

Thank you Gianfranco and Quattro Gatti for hosting such an amazing meal!

An Evening With Say laV

August 23, 2013 by Kristin

I texted Molly mid-way through the day asking if she was up for something social after work. She responded immediately saying “you read my mind!” and forwarded a happy hour invite. An evening of sampling Say laV eats and Hotel Vegas drinks? Sure thing.

As soon as we arrived, we headed straight to the bar to pick up icy cocktails in an honest attempt to brave the 100 degree heat that was waiting for us out back. Moscow mules, Pimm’s cups, and sticky bangs. It was happening.

We parked ourselves at a picnic table and the food was immediate. First up was fig topped pate and melon/salami/basil skewers. Both of these hit all sorts of spots at our table. The herb/meat/melon combo is certainly a thing right now and I love it. And the pate, which is rarely my thing, became my thing when it was paired up so perfectly with fig.

Lamb burgers with a hearty slice of red onion and a dollop of tzatziki… brought me back to the days of living near good Greek food. I ate two.

Pulled pork tacos and blistered shishito peppers. I tell ya, this night was one for the books!

And to satisfy any sweet teeth in the crowd, they served sweet potato donut holes. These were Molly’s favorite. She ate ~~four~~ two. Maybe two and a half? Regardless, she deserved it. Thanks Miss Molly for another unexpectedly wonderful night on the town!