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| Driving through West Lake |
I was recently back in Austin during SXSW and as much as the insane amount of music at every corner can be a dream, it really is the food (and friends) that keeps me coming back. This time, I stayed with my friend Afsaneh who used to live in Austin but is now based out of Pennsylvania where she runs truly one of the best curated American and European vintage clothing sites there is called (re)collect. If you live in New York, you should stop by her stall at the Brooklyn Flea and I’ll be surprised if you don’t walk away with at least one gorgeous out of this world score.
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| Afsaneh and I at the Fader Fort by FIAT (donning (re)collect) |
So, back to the food. Here are some of the places you would have found me happily stuffing my face at:
Various locations
Torchy’s is hands down an absolute must to visit to cure your taco craving. I would seriously invest in bringing Torchy’s to Toronto. My favs off the menu are the “Dirty Sanchez” breakfast taco with scrambled eggs with fried poblano chile, guacamole, escabeche carrots, shredded cheese and poblano sauce on a fresh flour tortilla, and the “Baja Shrimp” with hand-battered fried shrimp with cooked cabbage slaw topped with picked jalapenos & onions, queso fresco, cilantro, and chipotle sauce on a fresh corn tortilla.
401 w 2nd Street
I’m generally not a huge meat-eater but I’m a sucker for sweet ‘n sticky ribs and there’s no better place than Lambert’s in Austin for that. I love the “Country Style Pork Ribs” with the fennel & coriander rub and maple glaze.
1100 EAST 6TH ST
I know I just said that I’m not a huge meat-eater but the lamb and goat burger and grassfed shortribs are really amazing here. East Side Showroom supports the "slow food" revolution by buying locally from Texas farmers, ranchers and fisherman. I shared the two dishes with a couple of friends who also just wanted to try it. Have that and some of their delicious cocktails, and you’re good to go.
4200 North Lamar
Everytime I visit Austin, I make it a must to stop by Uchiko at least once. I’ve written about the food before, so I’m gonna give the tobacco cream dessert a shout-out this time. It’s made with chocolate sorbet, maple budino, huckleberry and scotch. It’s heaven.
