Austin Urban Farm Bike Tour

Yours truly participated in the Urban Farm Bicycle Tour yesterday, sponsored by Edible Austin and the Bicycle Sport Shop. It was a 10-mile ride around Austin. We visited Boggy Creek Farm, Zhi Tea, and Rain Lily Farm. We rode at our own pace and got to sample all kinds of yummy foods and drink, including yummy Zhi Tea. I spotted lots of roosters and some goats. The weather was really amazing and we had a great time. Best of all, we stopped by Food Heads on 34th street after our ride and had a delicious lunch.

Eat Local Week

It's next week, Dec 8-15, here in Austin! Check out the Edible Austin page for participating restaurants.

New Magazine

I have been checking out edible Austin, the paper version, for its past two issues now, and must say that I am quite pleased. They're in Issue 2 now, but Issue 1 was where I learned about the Ethiopian restaurant here in Austin, Aster's, and more about Ethiopian food that I knew before--particularly, how difficult it is to make authentic injera outside of Ethiopia. I wish I could give a review of the restaurant right here and now, but going to Aster's currently still sits prominently on my list of need-to-do's.

For all you kids really into local and/or organic food, edible Austin does seems like a good resource. I believe it's published quarterly, and it includes a list of what's in season--a useful list, even if it does double as a Central Market ad. Issue 1 had a great article about local vs. organic food, and the current issue outlines how to make a full-fledged local Thanksgiving feast as well as a feature on Austin street food vendors. The issues are free and there are stands all over town. I'd recommend picking one up, if you haven't already.

My Sunday Brunch at Bull & Boar

What can I say? Booklahver's review of Bull & Boar made my mouth water. She and her husband invited me to brunch 2 Sundays ago and I of course said yes! The restaurant resides in a quaint, remodeled building on Pearce Road.

We arrived around 11:30. We were greeted at the door by smiling faces and led to a table in the back by the buffet, next to three other tables of diners. The buffet stretched out over a long white tablecloth covered table, ending with an omelet and waffle station.

I chose links of locally-procured sausage and strips of bacon, a serving of Eggs Benedict (a new steaming-hot tray of which had just been added to the table), and some plump strawberries. I also got some Texas toast and covered with it with homemade mixed berry jelly. The Eggs B were a delight! The Hollandaise sauce was delicate and flavorful and the pork was perfectly chewy and salty. The sweetness of the strawberries and the jelly balanced the savory foods quite well. The coffee was lovely, too. My cup was refilled multiple times without my having to ask or wait.

After finishing my plate, I requested a waffle from the made-to-order station. A few moments later the cook signaled it was ready. I was directed toward the bar to choose from a variety of toppings including strawberries, blueberries, chocolate chips, butter, and whipped cream. If ever breakfast had dessert, this was it! I covered the waffle with the fruit and its juices and hurried back to my seat. The soft waffle with crisp edges soaked up the juices and it melted in my mouth.

Overall, I rate Bull & Boar highly. They know how to put out a spread of delicious locally-grown foods that satisfy. And for $15, it's an experience well worth the drive to Del Valle.

Eating Locally in Georgetown

Mr. Wonderful and I stopped in Georgetown, TX on our way to Oklahoma (we took the new, delightful toll road. BELIEVE ME: it was worth however much we paid in tolls) for a bite to eat. Originally, we were looking for just food of the fast variety but then I recognized where I was and we found the Monument Cafe once again!!

Suppersister Theresa had told us about this wonderful place when we made our only other trip to Georgetown to accompany our wondermous niece Mandi on a college tour. Anywhoo, Monument, Monument, wherefore art thou Monument?

Besides being exceptionally good food, Mr. Wonderful and I were delighted to know (we are often delighted) that the food is locally grown and organic! We really had no intent of eating completely locally, we just wanted to go to a place that we remembered fondly.

I had a chili burger *oh yes, it was great!* and a mixture of onion strings and french fries. Truly "junk" food but Kobe beef burgers, organic everything, and locally grown onions makes it the best junk food choice we could make!

Mr. Wonderful had a club sandwich and the same mixture of onion strings and french fries. We didn't have room for dessert but some day, we will. All of the desserts sound fantastic!

Theresa can provide a much better review but I have nothing but glowing feelings about Monument. Definitely a place to stop when we make our way through Georgetown.

Eating Locally in Del Valle

Last night, Mr. Wonderful (aka my husband) and I ate at The Bull and Boar. Oh My GOD! Wonderful! I'm still tasting it, in a good way. We went all out and got dessert AND a beer apiece. I had the Skinny Dip...it was o.k. Mr. Wonderful had a Shiner 98 which he really liked. I thought it was o.k. I'm not a huge beer drinker and mostly stay on the wheat/pale ale side of things. Anyway, on to the food!!

I had the Pan-fried Rainbow Trout. It was served with a corn and onion relish with lime. I'm still salivating. It was served opened (like the split it down the back) with tail intact. :) My sides included macaroni and cheese and sauteed squash. The squash was exceptionally good. I have found a new veggie: squash!

Mr. Wonderful had the Country Fried Steak with mashed potatoes and a small Caesar. He said it was good. We split a creammmmmmy cream cheese icing carrot cake for dessert. It was served with a strawberry and the coolest orange syrup glazed thing on top. Yum! We also had sourdough bread that was baked fresh that day!

The Bull and Boar supports local farmers and makes many of their own dishes on site including frying their own chips, smoking their own salmon, and other things. They are owned by two brothers (we talked to one of them) who are also the chefs and their mother waited on us. They have been open for four months. A brunch occurs on Sunday: all you care to eat for $15. I remember Belgian waffles, made to order omelets, and a whole host of other things were on the menu, definitely enough to get your money's worth.

The atmosphere was pleasant. It looked like an old diner inside. Everyone was very nice and we were the only people in there. We got out of there paying about $33. Overall, great experience!!

What do you say Suppersisters??? Care to brunch this Sunday?

**I forgot to add that the portion sizes were adequate (as in: I was served on a plate, not a platter so I could not overeat!) and the availability of food is seasonal so the menu is always changing. If you go to their website, you will notice the carrot cake and the Rainbow trout are not displayed. Even more reason to go!**

Eating locally in Austin

James McWilliams interview on KUT about the environmental impact of eating "locally" in Austin.