On Austin Time

I was lucky enough to spend the weekend in Austin during the kickoff of th Interactive portion of SXSW. I had only heard about Austin through Bay Area folks that had flocked to the up and coming city. Food, tech, and no cowboys - sounds good to me!

Austin was exactly how I pictured it. Dresses and cowboy boots, rusty neon signs, and flat, flat lands. Little did I know, those dilapidated neon signs had some killer foods behind them. After a stroll on South Congress peeking in vintage shops, Allens boots, and a vintage circus themed candy store, we sat down for our first experience with Queso. Somehow, being in Texas made eating warm Velveeta A-OK. Find a homemade recipe at the end of this post.

I thought SF had food trucks nailed, but Austin has officially beat us. Coordinated lots of food trucks were abundant. Each trailer with it's own flair - an Airstream cupcake truck, a fortune teller style booth peddling pies and plenty of RV trailers converted to kitchens. Our desire for BBQ led us to Franklin's BBQ a former trailer dweller, Franklin's had just opened their first brick and mortar establishment the day before we went there. After waiting in a hellishly long line (with the Sold Out signs already posted) we ordered the famous brisket including the crunchy ends - a carnivores popcorn. By the time I got to the register, the husband and wife team had convinced me that in addition to my brisket, beans, cole slaw, potato salad and Root Beer, I just *had* to have the Bourbon Banana Cream Tart with a Vanilla Wafer crust. Glad I listened - on all fronts.

I'm already anticipating my next trip to Austin and starting a jar for my cowboy boots fund. My hit list includes, Gordough's donuts, The Swan Dive and a ride on the Pub Crawler!!


Links:
Homemade Queso
Olivia
Franklin's BBQ

Zero Zero

After all the hype of Pizzeria Picco in Larkspur, I was eagerly awaiting the SF outpost, Zero Zero opening up in SOMA in the former Azie space. I'm a thin crust pizza kind of gal, so I usually skip the Little Star or Zachary's type pizza and opt for Delfina or Amicis. Zero Zero sticks to the Neapolitan style in a warm, wood decorated space. The cute mural of Pinocchio upstairs lends a whimsical vibe. From the bar they have a impressive list of classic cocktails using a lot of gin and brown liquors. I stuck to the wine on tap, which was surprisingly smooth and fresh. And I always gravitate to wine that is served in a carafe.

As for the pizzas the clear winner is the King Arthur Supreme of Neapolitan pizza, the Castro which includes Sopressata, House Made Sausage, Tomato Sauce,
Mozzarella, and Basil on a thin slightly burned, brick oven crust. The list of pizzas is concise and includes a few SF neighborhoods like Mission and Geary as well as the classics like Margherita and Marinara.

Even after totally indulging on the pizzas, I couldn't pass up the build your own ice cream sundaes. The waitress presented a mini menu and a golf pencil to pick the following options.
1) Choose an Ice Cream - Straus Creamery
2) Pick a Base - brownies, waffle and more
3) Pile on the Toppings - nuts, pie crumble, caramel, AND MORE

The space is gorgeous and spacious, so drop in with ressies or without. You'll probably get seated without much wait.

Mangia!

Beyond Calories

Diet loves apples
Originally uploaded by aviana2

In an effort to get in shape for my long weekend on the beach in San Diego, I've been trying out a new "eating plan". So far it's been mind blowing, I don't stick to anything and I've actually been looking forward to each day of meals. The plan consists of 6 small meals a day, which has been life changing. My late afternoon craving, which usually results in a trip to my coworker's candy bowl, is gone. Instead I have a handful of almonds and a Laughing Cow Cheese wedge - happily. Within the 6 meals, food is broken down into 4 groups - Fruit, Veggies, Protein, Catch-all of the above. Each day outlines the 6 meals and which group to eat from for each. You pick and choose the items from the allowed list of foods. It's almost like a food math equation. 4 + 3 = skinny.