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Un-Granola

“Guide for sophisticated vegetarian dining”

Tag Archives: Hyde Park

February 6, 2012 Vino Vino: Austin, TX

I read an interview once with Kylie Minogue in which she described herself as being “at that wine bar age.” She made it sound kind of glam —  a word that definitely describes Vino Vino, in Austin’s Hyde Park neighborhood. I love the reclaimed wood floors, long bar, dim lighting.

I also love the wine, which they are very serious about (racks cover the walls of the big room) and happy to talk over with you. Even though I come here pretty regularly, I forget that they are equally serious about the food.

The vegetarian options are limited: salads, cheese and olives, and one entree. On the night I visited, the entree was broccoli stew with mushrooms, couscous, and harissa (a North African spice mix). Our cheerful server let me sample a couple of wines before picking a Riesling that he said would go nicely with the spice of the stew.

He was right — the wine and stew were perfect together. The mushrooms were hen of the woods — a real step above your average white button shroom. These woodsy, chewy morsels (photo below — that’s a mushroom!) in the harissa broth were delicious.

My friend loved his quail dish — there are lots of hearty meat options here.

I hope they add more vegetarian options to their menu. The veggie dish I had, and the Riesling I had with it, make me happy to be at that wine bar age.

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November 15, 2011 Foreign & Domestic: Austin, TX

Pig brains, beef heart, pork ribs. What’s a vegetarian like me doing in a joint like this?

Foreign & Domestic really captures the challenge of being a vegetarian foodie in Austin. I can either sample veggie options (which do exist) at Foreign & Domestic or eat the unvarying, earnest fare at Mother’s just down the street. (Will Austin ever see a sophisticated vegetarian restaurant?)

So F&D – with its piggy art and piggy heart – it is.

We split the Carmelized Onion Brioche with Peach Butter. The buttery bread really set off the sweetness of the onions and the butter. I loved seeing the trays of brioche set out in the counter of the open kitchen.

F&D’s setting is fine — simple, open, bustling. It’s no frills, appropriate to the North Loop location, and with the focus firmly on the food.

F&D had two vegetarian entrees on the night we visited, so we got both. My friend’s 3 Cheese Raviolo with poached egg, toasted garlic, spinach, and bread crumbs was gooey comfort food. The poached egg at the bottom oozed out over the pasta, making the dish like Eggs Florentine with pasta instead of bread – rich and delicious.

I had the toasted acorn squash curry with pink lentils, salted grapes, and coconut milk. It was a creative vegetarian entree with protein. The squash, grapes, coconut milk, and raisins made this dish a touch too sweet for me, though the turmeric added a bit of heat.

The yogurt sorbet with dried cherries and dill syrup we ordered for dessert was tart, creamy, sweet, and slightly medicinal. Unusual combination of flavors.

This place is great for adventurous eaters, and I love that they have a couple of dishes for vegetarians. A little note at the bottom of the menu made me smile: “Menu subject to change on a whim.” Love it.

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