September '10

HAPPY 3 YEAR ANNIVERSARY AFDA!

Green Pastures

September 29th, 2010

That's right folks, it has been 3 wonderfully delicious years since AFDA's first dinner in Austin. I cannot say how much I have enjoyed the evenings of fantastic food and friendship. I am incredibly excited to have many more nights around dinner tables for years to come.

To celebrate AFDA's big night we started with a champagne toast on the rooftop of the Crescent Apartments off South Congress. We watched the sun go down, and soaked in the Austin city skyline. After the bubbly was gone, we headed to one of Austin's finest and most beautiful restaurants, Green Pastures. I have been going to Green Pastures since I was a little one, and can remember my Mom's 40th birthday party there like it was yesterday. The luscious sprawling green lawn, free roaming peacocks, and gorgeous white home set the perfect southern atmosphere in the city. Nine members gathered on a Wednesday night not only to raise their glasses for AFDA, but also for Austin Restaurant Week. Green Pastures participated in this week long wonderland for foodies by creating a 3 course menu and donating a percentage of proceeds to the Sustainable Food Center of Austin. A marvelous trifecta.

We began our dinner with a few bottles of an excellent Cabernet Sauvignon recommended by our waiter as the special of the night (about $30). We intensely reviewed the menu and made our choice of appetizer, entree and dessert. The table was set with a bountiful bouquet of roses from my mother, so lovely. Our first course arrived and it was as if we were kids in a candy store. Forks met knives and mini bites were passed of SOUTH TEXAS TRIO (Bacon-wrapped Jalapeno-stuffed Texas Quail, Valencia Orange and Fresh Bay Pork En Croute, Ancho-Garlic Goat Cheese Chicken Sausage with Poblano Sauce and Navajo Bread), SAKE BOMBED LOBSTER TAIL (BBQ Kirin Tempura Lobster Tail with Black Pepper Ginger Sake Butter and Sesame Scallions), and CITY VIEW BRUNCH (Brie and Caramelized Mushroom Rosemary-Garlic Stromboli with Fig-Balsamic Avocado Soup with Texas Goat Cheese Fried Poached Pasture Raised Egg with Grilled Artichoke, Roasted Onion and Tomato Chutney). If you require a nap now from your mental food coma, no judgment comes your way. It was all splendid. The lobster tail literally cannot be described in words. If you find one, eat it, and you'll be happy the rest of your life. Light, crunch, succulent, the end. All delicious and so thoughtfully created.

Next we moved to Entrees. SALOON STYLE STEAK (Brown Sugar and Tellicherry Black Pepper Cured USDA Prime Beef Filet, Roasted Sweet Potato, Cabbage Confit, Pasilla Essence), TEXAS HYDROPONIC REDFISH (Coriander Spiced Redfish, Steamed Crab Cake, Coconut-Jasmine Rice, Fried Cilantro, Curried Cashews and Lime-Long Pepper Butter), FREE RANGE HUMANELY RAISED VEGETABLES (Crispy Mushroom Spring Rolls with Miso-Garlic Dip Truffled Yukon Torta with Chipotle Asparagus Spinach Flan with Cured Tomato, Spiced Red Wine and Lavosh Butternut Squash and Arugula Crepe with Pecans, Maple Syrup and Creme Fraiche). The biggest relief was that the vegetables were humanely raised. Nothing satisfactory about a scorned vegetable served on your plate. The majority chose the steak and it was excellent. A large portioned filet, very passionately cooked.

We ended the evening with decadent dessert, which was the icing to our celebration cake. GREEN PASTURES BREAD PUDDING (Traditional New Orleans Style Bread Pudding with White Chocolate, Pecans, Cinnamon, and Nutmeg. Served with a Jack Daniels Sauce), KOOCK CHEESECAKE Rich and Velvety New York Style Cheesecake with Raspberry and Blackberry Sauces), HELEN CORBITT TEXAS PECAN BALL Large Scoop of Vanilla Ice Cream Rolled in Crushed Pecans and Homemade Fudge Sauce. Texas enriched all the way around. The pudding a creamy drunk, the cheesecake shockingly light, and the pecan ball a childhood favorite.

A special night with a group whose stories and laughs could entertain the most reserved of folk. We celebrating Ms. Cassie's birthday along with AFDA's, which was an extra special treat. Make sure to get yourself to Green Pastures any time you can. It's a place you can unwind, enjoy, and treasure.

Here's to whatever you're celebrating currently, and that you're able to toast with those you enjoy around a special table of your own. Salute!

Top Picks: Sake Bomb Lobster Tail, City View Brunch, Saloon Style Steak, Koock Cheesecake

Green Pastures

July '10

Braise

July 16th, 2010

Our smallest AFDA yet was held at the newly opened Braise in East Austin, with the Texas summer heat as our extra guest. The foursome of diners basked in the generosity, openness, and air conditioning of the "Food for the soul as well as the belly" coined restaurant. We were told the restaurant's chef hailed from Restaurant Jezebel in Austin (a big plus), and that the liquor licence had not been established so complimentary beer and wine were served (another big plus). Red and white wine were ordered along with Lone Star on tap and Topo Chicos for the table. We curiously examined the menu and began with two appetizers, Mussels (saffron infused marinara broth) and Crispy Pork Belly (peppery Southern collard greens & Dijon mustard). Both were divine. The Pork Belly was delicious in itself, but the sauce let to plate licked clean. The mussels broth was exceptional and each one a delight. For entrees (you may choose a 1/2 plate or full) we chose the Neiman Ranch beef osso bucco (garlic mashed potatoes with sauce au poivre), Spicy Cajun blackened black bass (creamy grits with house smoked tomato and sweet corn beurre blanc), and the Spicy Jamaican Jerked pork shoulder (crock pot black beans with cilantro gremolata). The osso bucco took over the whole show. It was perfectly, perfectly cooked and the flavors so authentic. The true winner of the main course menu. The bass was tasty, but was not de-boned which would have been nice to know ahead of time. The pork unfortunately did not impress this eating bunch. To get over that loss, we decided on dessert. Rich dark chocolate coffee bean mousse, New Orleans’ style Chocolate chip bread pudding a la mode, and Traditional buttermilk pie. Each dessert surprised us all by being totally unlike their traditional versions. The buttermilk pie was more of a thick custard with a cinnamon accents, the mouse more bitter than sweet, and the bread pudding oh so chocolaty. Nothing bad, just very very different. I suggested (from a eaters perspective) the buttermilk pie would be so great in its true traditional sugary nature instead. All in all, a great time with great tastes. Go in for date night, or large party celebration. Braise is continually improving themselves, and are quite the hosts. Worth the trip for your dining pleasure.

Top Picks: Pork Belly, Osso Bucco, Bread Pudding

Braise