Tequila Tasting on the South Side . . . .

Chase it with more than a Lime:

Jack Allen’s Kitchen Hosts Five Course Tequila Dinner with Pepe Zevada & Paula Angerstein

Pull up a chair and enjoy an evening of outrageous food and ‘spirited’ conversation – Jack offers up five courses of his killer food, paired with the tequila genius of Pepe Zevada and citrus liqueur finesse of Paula Angerstein. Teamed with Chef Chris Teneyck, this interactive event will be held at Jack Allen’s Kitchen in the private dining area, starting at 7:00pm. Price is $65/person, all inclusive. (can you say screaming deal?)

For the Table:

Crispy Oyster Lettuce Wrap With a winter pepper salsa

Flight One: Pepe’s Paloma Z Blanco and Mexican Fresca

First: Grilled Vegetable Relleno (on a bed of cilantro fried rice with goat cheese and herb oil)

Flight Two: Austin Rita: Z Reposado, Paula’s Texas Orange and lime

Second: Pork Carnitas With a watermelon radish and cilantro salad

Flight Three: Citrus Smash Z Blanco, Paula’s Texas Orange, muddled oranges, bitters and Sprite

Main: Lightly smoked and slowly braised Lamb Shank With chipotle red smashed potato and ancho chile glace

Flight Four: Pepe’s Perfect Manhattan Z Anejo, Paula’s Texas Orange, Sweet Vermouth and Orange Bitters

Dessert:                Warm Winter Fruit Compote With a Paula’s Texas Orange Creme

Finish: Anglaise Iced Caramel Coffee with Z Anejo spike

$65.00 All Inclusive

Call 852.8558 or email info@jackallenskitchen.com to book.

Twitter:                                @jackallens

Facebook:                           Jack Allen’s Kitchen

Where home, hospitality, and great flavors meet.

www.jackallenskitchen.com

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Great Cooking Classes and a meal to boot!

Special for Opentable Customers!
Mention Opentable and recieve 20% off classes for the month of January

01.09.10
Dinner with Escoffier Series $60
4-7pm
Spend the afternoon cooking with our chefs and then sit down to share a classic French meal.
In this hands on class you will learn to preparea simple three course meal using French technique
Watercress Soup, Sole Au Meniere and Rustic Apricot Almond Tart
Wine pairings will be included in your meal.

01.16.10
Croissants $30
10am-1pm
Learn to make everyone’s favorite French breakfast.
In this hands on class you will learn to make croissant dough by hand then turn it into:
Croissant au Buerre, Pain au Chocolat, and Croissant Amande

01.23.10
Dinner with Escoffier Series $60
4pm-7pm
Spend the afternoon cooking with our chefs and then sit down to share a classic French meal.
In this hands on class you will prepare a simple three course meal using French technique.
Chevre Chaud Salad, Chicken Fricassee and Chocolate Profiteroles
Wine Pairing will be included in your meal.

Please call 339.3838 to reserve your space. mention opentable to recieve 20% off!

Ventana Restaurant – Texas Culinary Academy is located at:

11400 Burnet Rd
Ste. 2100 Austin, TX 78758
Phone: 512.339.3850
Fax: 512.833.6336

Just a little off the main road . . . Sulak’s Cafe

I travel to Dallas quite a bit.  In my ‘day-job’, Dallas is part of my territory and the trip along I-35 has become a familiar one over the last couple of years.  Usually, I stop in West for a bite of their famous kolaches, however on my return trip Friday, I was traveling with a friend.  Originally, I had planned on exposing him to the wonder that are the kolaches from the Czech Stop.  But, his suggestion was to enjoy a sit-down lunch and almost immediately a billboard caught our eyes.  Sulak’s Cafe was the advertisement and a quick internet check via a new Verizon Droid (his, not mine) assured us we would be in good hands for lunch.

Never before had I ventured into West, beyond the Czech Stop Bakery located near the interstate.  I was amazed at the number of culinary establishments in the town.  Seriously, the ratio of restaurants to inhabitants must be the highest in the country.  Traveling along the main drag there were not only restaurants, but butchers and sausage makers.  It was simply amazing.

Sulak's

So, after a little mis-direction from the Droid (or, it could have been Mike, he kept turning the phone in odd and contorted directions so not sure which was at fault) we found the restaurant.  West is not a big town, so it wasn’t too difficult.  Just walking through the door, I knew we were in for a treat.  It was a very rainy day (the driving sucked), so there were a few patrons in the joint but not a full stable.
The menu is not extensive, however there are several items of Czech-American food on the menu, and that is what we focused on.  To start with we had the Czech Wings.  This, I am sure was a local concoction that is simply amazing.  Reading the ingredients is somewhat questionable, which is why I am sure they left them off the menu.  However the taste is amazing!  The dish consisted of chicken wrapped in sauerkraut wrapped in bacon and served with a delicious warm mustard dressing.  Don’t knock it until you try it!  We were both wonderfully surprised!

Czech Wings

For my main I chose the Sausage Platter, although I think I was actually served the Schnitzel Platter.  I could be wrong.  And as choices for side dishes I chose Sweet Potato Chips and mashed potatoes (they offer two sides per main, and offer a wealth of choices).  On choosing the mashers, I was asked if I wanted them fully loaded . . . . I believe my response was something in the neighborhood of “Ah, HELL YEAH!” but was probably something much more in the neighborhood of a blank dull stare and nod in my amazement of the offer.  The waitress made mention that they like most things ‘fully loaded’ in West, including their patrons, then chuckled and walked away.  I got a little nervous, but in a good way.  Definitely my kind of place.

When the meal arrived we were again amazed.  The plates were filled with more food than we could possibly consume. Mike had ordered a simple hamburger that I am guessing amounted to a 1/3 to 1/2 pound patty served with a generous helping of fries and thick slices of fresh baked bread.  Had to be a half pound patty, it was enormous.

Schintzel Platter

My dish was equally amazing and enormous.  My first taste was of the Sweet Potato Fries (chips).  Dressed simply with a light dusting of brown sugar and cinnamon, the flavor was beyond compare.  The mashers were covered with bacon (which makes everything better) spring onions, cheese and had the best consistency of any mashers I have ever had.  The schnitzel itself was tender, while the breading was crisp, and covered with a brown gravy that I suspect was reminiscent of a Ginger Snap Gravy one would usually find with a German Sauerbraten.  It was wonderful.  Having shown picture of the dish to my wife elicited comments of ‘Shut UP!’ and another that I will not write but can be described with another word for ‘donkey’, and ‘hole’ concatenated.  She was a bit jealous.

So, bottom line is, if you find yourself traveling by road to Dallas, add some time to your planned trip and stop in West.  Whether you only plan a few minutes for a kolache at The Czech Stop, or a little longer for a lunch at Sulak’s Cafe, you won’t be disappointed!

Cheers!

Sushi Zushi . . . good sushi and more.

I have had the opportunity to review several sushi establishments here in Austin of late.  Thus far, I have not been disappointed and fortunately for me (and the rest of Austin) Sushi Zushi is no exception.

Located on 5th, just East of Mopac, Sushi Zushi is located in a new building on the South Side of the road.  It is a chain originating in Dallas and has been expanding to other areas, most recently here in Austin.  Before my visit, I was a bit concerned about the parking situation, but found very convenient parking (covered no-less) inside the structure and directly behind the restaurant.  Great for days like today when there is actually RAIN!  Also great for most days in Austin when the sun can make your car a dry sauna.

After parking I walked through the back door, directly from the parking garage and was immediately impressed with the decor.  Not to bright, yet not dark enough that you can not enjoy seeing not only your food, but the company you keep. The kitchen is open to the dining room, next to which is a small, yet comfortable Sushi Bar.

This day, I was a lone wolf and settled in to said sushi bar, a bit excited for what was to come.  I was offered several menus, one each for lunch, main menu and saki.  The main menu is extensive offering patrons the opportunity to order specific rolls, sushi pieces or sashimi.  There are also the popular combination platters that have the most popular of sashimi and sushi.  The lunch menu also has a variety of choices, mostly combination platters that include a Yakimeshi bowl as well as Miso Soup as accompaniments.  Which brings me to another highlight of the menu – Yakimeshi and Yakitori (a Japanese fried rice and Japanese kebab, respectively) are also found on the Sushi Zushi menu, which is not typical of many sushi joints.  This offers an alternative to those in your party that may be sushi-squeamish.  Lastly, the Saki menu, although I could not partake, also offered a wealth of choices.

So, how was my lunch.  It was pretty darn good.  Seriously, I know that is anti-climatic, but I mean it.  It was enjoyable.  I ordered one of the lunch ‘combination’ platters.  The Miso Soup was piping hot, and the seaweed flavorful with large creamy cubes of tofu that I thoroughly enjoy.  The Yakimeshi that accompanied the platter was a welcome change in flavor between bites of sushi and sashimi.  The fish itself was fresh, nicely cut and packed well with the rice.  The rolls were also flavorful and well made.  My only disappointment was the Yakitori that came on the platter, which was a bit flavorless, but not awful.  Overall, it was a good experience.

Normally I shy away from chain sushi joints outside of Tokyo.  I find they usually rely more on their name than the actual product.  But this was different. Not the best sushi in Austin, but good and I will return, no doubt!

Free Beer!

That’s right.  I said it.  Free Beer!

Whilst beer in and of itself is wonderful, when it’s free, beer becomes sublime!  “Where do I get this ‘Free Beer’” you ask?  Well, let me tell you. . . .

This coming Thursday, September 3rd, Torchy’s will be celebrating their Third Birthday!  Can’t believe its been three whole years?  Michael Rypka, having left the corporate world to step out on his own, opened Torchy’s in mid-2006 as one of the first trailers that now dot the Austin landscape.  Originally Michael was skeptical of opening another ‘taco place’ in Austin, and with good reason. . . .can’t swing a dead cat in this town without hitting one.  But, leveraging his experience as an Executive Chef to corporations and world leaders, he made the jump to open his own joint.  Austin bellies have never been happier!

So, if you can, take the time to celebrate with Michael and the team this Thursday!  There will be good fun, good food and good music (Ruby Jane Show will be playing).

Torchy’s 3rd Birthday Party

Thu 9/3 from 7-10pm. Free admission. Free beer.

Torchy’s Tacos on South 1st at El Paso

2809 S. 1st St (512) 444-0030