Dumpling Happiness (Austin)

Thanks to your responses last week on my reader survey (you can still fill it out!), I noticed one particularly enthusiastic request for "more food trucks!" I am thrilled to share my most recent food truck find with an understated disposition. After a tasty craft cocktail at one of Austin's (and Texas') top new bars of the year, Whisler's, Erin and I walked out the back door at 9:30 p.m. to unexpectedly run into the Dumpling Happiness food truck. Well...of course we had to try it. The airstream trailer under-ratedly retreated to the bar's backyard with a tiny menu taped to the ordering window. We proceeded with full stomachs and very hungry eyes.

The laid-back dude behind the window was such a sweetheart, allowing to try half an order of dumplings since we already had a full meal and a few cocktails under our belts. He suggested his favorite: Pork & Ginger with "happiness sauce." Once we paid, he asked for our numbers. A bit unusual, but we were extremely excited to receive a text message five minutes later with the message, "Your dumplings are ready!!" How adorable.

A piping hot order arrived. The wheat wrapper was lightly crisp on the surface (which I never see in dumplings these days), and the ginger definitely came through in each bite. And, since you were wondering, the sauce did invoke happiness.

It's true. Dumpling Happiness turned me into a proclaimed dumpling lover. I believe one gravitating bite will convert you without a fight.

Salt + Time (Austin)

I do not seem to fancy myself as the "butcher shop" type for trendy lunch outings, but my eye was set on trying Salt + Time; and I couldn't have been happier that I did. The concept is brilliant: a full-service salumeria and butcher shop, and a full-service dining space and bar. The fuse of in-house cuisine and take-home charcuterie and artisan products is seamlessly executed.

The shop basically provides only a selection of sandwiches for sit-down service (spelled out on a tiny chalkboard!)...but these hefty sandwiches are enough to anchor the small menu. Stephanie and I opted to split and share two different sandwiches, served on a piece of lightly toasted, fluffy ciabatta that I can still distinctly remember.

The roast beast presented a generous portion of roast beef, sweet caramelized onions, tangy and slightly bitter pickled green tomatoes, and a light aioli. I couldn't get over the sweet versus vinegary complements, which added such depth without overwhelming the roast beef's established spotlight.

The veggie special, which consistently aims to feature local seasonal ingredients, was fully loaded with winter cauliflower and brussels sprouts. I love these two vegetables for dinner, but I now know that they do belong on a bun for lunch. This sandwich, and restaurant, hit a home run. I will be back in soon to get a feel for the local products available for purchase. Thank you, Salt + Time, for a wonderful first taste!

Josephine House (Austin)

Austin's regularly bipolar weather perplexes me every morning as I open my window shades. Currently, it's grey, gloomy and "feels like" 35 degrees. Yesterday, I was working at Mozart's Coffee lakeside porch with 72-degree sunshine in a tank top (and I heard it was snowing in Memphis!). I know...I don't understand either.

To rewind a bit to this past gorgeously blissful weekend, I'll take you through my fabulous Saturday brunch at Josephine House. It is owned by the same mastermind behind Clarks, Jeffrey's, etc...so the bar is automatically high for a luxurious dining experience. The blue cottage personified sunshine in every gesture and detail. Our original reservation (which we needed to book days in advance) required outdoor seating; and having experienced ice less than 48 hours beforehand, we were nervous it'd be too chilly to enjoy! Much to our disbelief, we were grateful for the patio table as we basked in the sun and sipped on mimosas and rose pink palomas.

The mix of breakfast and lunch (hence...brunch) items was nicely balanced due to fine ingredient choices that screamed "Spring!" The nine grain pancakes were exquisitely plated with an oozing shadow of red cherry compote and drape of créme fraîche. I loved the thinness of the short stack, which provided a light and fluffy crépe technique instead of those burly cakes at Kerbey Lane Café that take over the entire plate.

The Josephine house burger is a whopping $18, but you'll understand why once you order it. The bun is a housemade, flaky english muffin that delicately soaks up the remnants of fried egg and crunchy bacon. The harissa aioli is a nice change from typical ketchup or mustard, and the greens on top make you feel like you're kind of eating a salad? Actually no, not really. It was fantastic.

My poached egg & quinoa was a colorful palette of beets, romanesco, carrots and greens. The egg yolk held the grain together nicely without overpowering the chili glaze. I enjoyed the combination of red and white quinoa; not only did it add color, but it added an extra depth of texture and taste. The two are very different, I learned!

Make your reservation for weekend brunch, and let's hope the Austin weather matches the warmth and beauty of this restaurant's classy approach upon your arrival!

Fabi + Rosi (Austin)

It's true; I found my new favorite date spot...with the girls, of course. I had heard raving reviews from my peers of the European kitchen's elegant yet eclectic dining experience, so I immediately reached out to Fabi + Rosi in hopes of booking a table for my roommates and me. We were mesmerized by the romanticism of the space, draped with metallic wallpaper and glowing crystal chandeliers. I was even more impressed with the menu -- rarely do I glance over a list of dishes without being adverse to at least one entreé choice. However, I found myself swooning over every dish. I truly think I would have been content with anything placed in front of me!

After a bottle of a beautiful, bold pinot gris was poured by our genteel server, we ordered a few appetizers to share. I'm a huge artichoke fan, so the steamed choke with lemon aioli sounded divine. We worked up our jaw muscles due to the vegetable being fairly undercooked, but a dunk in the aioli reestablished our pleased tastebuds. Never before have I ordered potato leek soup, but Ashley's was light enough to showcase the tender combination of starch and veggies rather than just heavy cream.

The entreé course was a clear home run across the table. My house made linguine with bechemel, foraged mushroom & crispy poached egg (further above) was rich but delightful. I could only bear to eat half, but luckily my girlfriends picked up the last few swirls of pasta left on the plate. Not pictured were some other favorites that I snuck a bite of: gilt-head bream (a flaky, mild Mediterranean white fish) with sweet potato gnocchi & kale, and the classic European dish of perfectly seasoned steak & frites. I usually push aside french fries unless they're from Hopdoddy or Clark's, but this restaurant's approach to the steak fry -- with truffle -- blew me away.

The unexpected, unanimous favorite was Mel's crepinette of a delicate Dewberry Hills chicken stuffed with chicken sausage (above). The airy potato puree riddled well with the poultry, and the sweet, colorful rotkraut truly put the bird on a whole new level.

We didn't have room for dessert, but we managed to order it anyway...typical. The crack pie with hooch cream was a funky take on a Momokuku inspiration. The oatmeal-based cookie pie was nutty and fantastically sweet. The sugarless whipping cream helped balance the sweetness of the pie. I wanted one to-go!

Ladies and gents, Fabi + Rosi should be your next destination for any occasion; but I will stress that this restaurant would be the perfect backdrop for this upcoming Valentine's Day. The entire menu will be available with walk-ins only, so dress up and head over there for a guaranteed fabulous meal!

Garbo's Lobster (Austin)

Lobster is a luxury -- we all concur. But when a state-of-the-art Maine lobster roll comes (or drives) your way for only $15, you drop everything and straight-up go for it. 

Garbo's has got it going on. 

Its tagline -- "From boat to bun"(so cute, I melted) -- and its fancy website make your mouth water instantaneously. The site shows the truck's location, which differs daily, and provides a map for super easy tracking. Hannah and I decided to go last Sunday where Garbo's would be parked at the Barton Creek Farmers Market. What a great vibe to that Austin market! Who wouldn't want to enjoy a lobster roll in the sun at a purple picnic table with live music in the background? It was perfection.

A limited but ample menu describes two styles: Connecticut and Maine. Also known as hot versus cold. Salad-styled versus simply buttery. Hannah and I agreed to try both and decide which we liked better. To be honest, they're both great but completely different. I preferred the warm, buttery Connecticut style with lemon and soft bun. It highlighted lobster for its pure goodness with no distractions. The Maine was fabulous too with very light mayo and chives, but I didn't appreciate it as much. One woman to the right of me was hands-down all about the Maine, and another man insisted on Connecticut.

My point? They both rock. It just depends on the flavor you're looking for. And luckily, Garbo's provides both! I can't wait to bring back more friends and keep the lobster craze going!

District Donuts (New Orleans)

It's brisk mornings like these when I wish I could bundle up and take a quick drive over to District Donuts for a cup of iced coffee and an "extra fancy" wedding cake donut. Or it's the rare worry-free afternoon I had yesterday (on our snow day -- insane, I know) when I craved a brew on tap with a shrimp slider loaded with cucumbers and jalepeños. If only New Orleans wasn't an eight-hour drive away, because this "donuts-sliders-brew" joint is surely one-of-a-kind.

On New Years morning, Alex, Hannah and I munched on a fantastic first meal of 2014 at District. I needed caffeine to get me through the gloomy drive back to Memphis, so an iced soy coffee was in order while we waited for sliders to arrive. I took a homemade cheddar biscuit to-go for the drive -- it's typical, though, that I ate the entire buttery delight before we even crossed over the Louisiana-Mississippi border...

The sizzling sliders, made-to-order, were the perfect size to fit in the palm of your hand. Two was plenty for me and Hannah, but Alex went for three types and was equally satisfied! I tried the renowned fried chicken slider and the special fried shrimp slider that cleverly outdid a classic po' boy. My only misgiving was in the chicken slider -- I bit into a small bone, unaware that I was being served a dark meat thigh instead of white meat breast. But alas, I finished it anyway (including the awesome cole slaw) without regretting my order!

District's concept is brilliant, taking three of America's favorite food/drink items and adding original style in every direction. The new spot has quickly become a hot spot! I'm looking forward to my next trip down to the Big Easy during Mardi Gras. I'll be sure to make that Magazine Street pitstop again, too.