A Long Awaited Return

I've had a hard few blogging months due to The Comida Blog laptop having some problems.  It's missed a trip to a celebrity chef's restaurant, some outstanding BBQ, homemade beef roast, and two meals from a food trailer.

Equipment problems

All of this has been fixed and I should have some new posts soon.  Thanks to TRE for the 2011 contributions, and for all of our readers for riding out the silence.

I Ate at Your Mom's

During SXSW in Austin I decided to venture to East Austin’s Your Mom’s Burger Bar. First impression is that it’s a cute little building with a cute concept – burgers, most stuffed with cheese, named after famous people who tie into the theme of what the burger is topped/stuffed with. For example, the Don Ho is a grilled chicken sandwich marinated in Hawaiian salsa, topped with pepper jack cheese, lettuce, tomatoes, and onions on Texas Toast (maybe should’ve been on Hawaiian bread?). The Frida Kahlo is a ½ pound burger stuffed with pepper jack and chorizo topped with a fried egg, lettuce, tomato, onion, avocado and chipotle lime spread.

Since it was SXSW when I stopped in, they had a limited menu: the Norma Jean burger, hot dogs, wings and fries.

My friend ordered the burger, stuffed with American cheese:

She enjoyed it and was shocked she finished the whole thing.

I opted to get a hot dog ($4.50 and you get to pick three toppings):

I chose to get mine topped with fried pickles and bacon, and they put regular pickles on it too:

I really enjoyed the fact that they split the hot dog when they grilled it (that’s how I make mine at home). I did not however like that it came on a giant piece of bread. The bread tasted very fresh but it seemed better suited for a po-boy and not a hot dog.

As I mentioned before, I got fried pickles on my hot dog which is genius! Other possible options for toppings on your burger or hot dog are: 4 different cheeses, wonton strips, chorizo, mushrooms, French fries, fried egg, avocado, bacon, boudin, onion rings, and jalapeno. I was a little peeved that grilled onions were not an option, but I did notice when looking at the full menu that they come on the Chi Cheng burger so I’m sure they’d be willing to put them on your hot dog too.

The major downside of this place is the size. It’s too small and quite honestly seemed a little dirty inside (I’m gonna blame that on SXSW). The ordering is confusing but it all works out cause you do get your food pretty quickly.

I don’t want to end on a con, so I will add that they use 100% certified black angus beef and claim to use meat with no hormones or antibiotics. That does impact the price a little (burgers range from $7.25 -$7.75) but I would say it’s well worth it. I look forward to going back and getting a burger.

Little (Amazing) Deli

I hesitate to write this post because I love Little Deli. I kinda don't want to share it, but I realized I should be charitable and share this literally little deli. I first found out about Little Deli because of Yelp. It was listed on the top 5 Austin restaurants and my job at the time was within a few mile of it. So I rounded up some coworkers and we ventured off to give it a try. First off, its located in a cute neighborhood next to a grocery store and a locally owned pharmacy. Second, it actually is little (that's what the literal meant). There are only a few tables inside but more seating outside. For some reason, I decided to try the Vegetarian sandwich on my first visit. It - was - amazing.


It consists of: avocado, marinated artichoke hearts, roasted eggplant, mozzarella, swiss provolone, cheddar, thinly sliced onions and tomatoes, lettuce, tapanade and Parmesan all served on a poppy seed roll. Somehow these ingredients meld together to create a sandwich of deliciousness wonder. Am I being dramatic? Maybe a little, but this sandwich deserves all the praise it can get. All their sandwiches come with a pickle spear and most are available as a half sandwich. The first time I ordered this sandwich was over two years ago and until about last month I never ordered anything different. I finally tried the meatball sub which is messy, but also amazing.


There is something about that roll that the meatball sub comes on. It's nice and buttery but doesn't get too soggy from the marinara. The meatballs are nice and moist and are topped with marinara and provolone.

Little Deli also started serving pizza and they usually have a slice of the day deal. I highly recommend Little Deli - just please don't take up all the tables.

Mini Pickles

I love pickles. Sometimes I have cravings for pickles (I am not nor have ever been pregnant). I order burgers with only mustard and pickles. I sometimes snack on a bowl of dill pickle chips doused in mustard. So why is it that before today I never knew these itty bitty pickles existed? I buy the small jar of sour pickles at the grocery store - but even those are like 3-4 times as big as these.



Those are olives next to them! Sometimes I hate being uncultured. I bet fancy people grew up knowing all about these mini pickles, also known as cornichons.

Happy New Year from The Comida Blog

I know this is late, and posting has been light, but The Comida Blog wants to wish everyone a Happy New Year.  We are unsure if anyone besides the actual bloggers even read the site, but if anyone else is reading we thank you.  We all have full-time jobs that we probably hate (I know I do), so we don't have as many posts as we would like.  If anyone else is reading let us know in the comments.

For now here is a picture of something from HEB I did not buy.

I Heart Starbuck(s)

As nerdy as I am when it comes to TV, you'd think I'd have been addicted to the updated Battlestar Galactica when it came on the then SciFi channel (now SyFy in case people couldn't handle 5 letters). But I didn't. So at the end of 2010 I finally started and finished it. What can I say? It was really enjoyable, I poured through the 4.5 seasons and cried when appropriate, laughed when Apollo had a random hooker girlfriend and was sad that Helo had a shirt on so much. It won't replace Lost or Arrested Development at the top of my TV list, but I would watch it again and recommend it to my fellow tv nerds.

So, back to the comida part of Comidablog. I am addicted to coffee (yes this seems disjointed but I'm getting there). Everyday I drive past Starbucks to work and get a grande nonfat latte. With my budget, this is not a good idea. With my waistline, again, not a good idea. When I drink the first sip of my morning latte I seriously smile and say out loud (in my office), "Ahhhh, coffee." It is my favorite.

This goes back to Battlestar Galactica because somewhere between the first and second episodes of BSG I developed a huge girl-crush on Kara Thrace, callsign, Starbuck.

Only one is the harbinger of death....and *spoiler alert* it isn't Kara.

Sip and Savor

Hey Austinites,

There's a new event coming up beginning next week: Sip & Savor. It's kinda like restaurant week but some places have drinks. I'm always up for a good deal so I thought I'd share.

I'm excited cause El Arbol is participating and I've been wanting to try it - mostly cause there's a tree in the middle of the restaurant (but I hear the food is good too).

And since this post didn't have any exciting pictures, here's one for your enjoyment:

Isn't he adorable?

XOXO,

TRE

Bacon Cinnamon Rolls

A friend of mine thougthfully purchased a Bacon Love 365day calendar for me for Christmas. So many mouth watering facts and quotes, but one page imparticular led me to an alarm clock on bacontoday.com which led me to this.... Bacon Cinnamon Rolls. The recipe seems easy enough especially cause you can use store bought ingredients. Definitely going to try these but I had to share....I love sweet and savory and I LOVE bacon. mmmmm.....bacon

Alan Wong's - A Taste of Hawaii

I had the pleasure of enjoying a seven course tasting at Alan Wong's Restaurant on my vacation....I promise I will mention the more off the beaten path places but I thought this a good place to start. Wong is one of if not the best chef of Hawaii's regional cuisine. He opts to use regional ingredients and merge them together with a modern take. Restaurant service was amazing and the place was small with a clear view into the kitchen which was interesting for a fine dining restaurant but very fitting to create a cozy ambiance. I chose the seven course tasting menu....to start I had Ahi tartare with coconut ceviche. The ahi and the citrus in the sauce made it absolutely delightful. The small dab of coconut cream and caviar on top took it to another level. Second course was a soup and sandwich....chilled vine ripened tomato soup with grilled mozzarella cheese and a foie gras and kalua pig sandwich. The soup and mozzarella were a perfect combination. I couldn't quite taste the foie gras in the sandwich but the pork was tender with a hint of sweetness. In the picture is what came on my friends plate which was seared ahi inside some fried strings and avocado. For my third course, I had seared Hudson Valley Foie Gras with Ling Ming Hui Chutney. The foie was cooked absolutely perfect and the chutney added a slight sweetness to the dish. There was shrimp and pork mixed in as a delightful twist. I almost didnt want this one to end but there was still more to come. The fourth course was steamed Opakapaka(Hawaiian red snapper) The fish melted in my mouth but here the sauce was an absolute star. Tasted more of an asian influence in this dish as the sauce was spicy like a curry with hints of coconut. Left my mouth stinging but was very very tasty. Next up was the way I want the rest of my life to be......butter poached. Butter poached Kona Lobster with spicy corn and lobster broth spiked with Okolehao(Hawaiian spirit from Ti plant). I've had lobster several places before but never this tender the fork merely touched and it fell apart. Lots of citrus and coconut in the broth ....refreshing and savory all at the same time. Finally the main course Okinauwan sweet potato flan, fried mozzarella, Maui Cattle beef rib eye with bone marrow butter, and beef burger. I started with the flan that had a very slight crisp top and perfectly soft texture. Sweeter than the sweet potatoes I'm used to but still savory. The fried cheese had a surprise in it mixed with what to me tasted like potato and butter. It was the only thing that was just okay on the plate. The ribeye was so tender and juicy. It was one of those steaks that you bite into and your salivary glands explode. I was content after I had that. The burger was good too but couldnt hold its own after tasting the steak. For dessert I had Strawberries Romanoff, Hawaii Island Goat Dairy Panna Cotta, Kula Strawberry-Hibiscus Soup, Goat Cheese Sorbet, Hawaiian Vanilla Sabayon. The sorbet with the strawberries were a perfect pair. My friend's dessert was much more playful and fun it was called "The Coconut"- Haupia(Hawaiian for coconut) Sorbet in a Chocolate Shell, Tropical Fruits and Lilikoi Sauce. Lilikoi(passion fruit) appears in lots of places around town. At the swap meet I bought fresh pineapple topped with the pulp or powder of it. Overall Alan Wong's Restaurant provided a wide range of what the island had to offer in a more refined setting. Just made me more more excited for what I might find elsewhere on the island. I remembered Wong appeared in the finale of Top Chef season 2 and after reading about him decided that would be a must on my trip. Well worth it. Mahalo Mr. Wong.

American Pancake

I recently visited Las Vegas and had brunch at the Wynn hotel. I think I tasted everything but one thing stood out more than anything else: the American Pancake.

It was a mini sweet (but not too sweet) pancake topped with a slice of cheddar cheese, hickory smoked bacon and peach chutney. If anyone knows how to make this (the pancake part) please let me know. It has been one day since I had it and I've already managed to dream about it three times.