Dishola: Reviews by the Dish

2043 S Lamar Blvd, Austin, TX, 78704
512-804-2700

BethGoulart on 09/23/08

Silentmeow's observation here about the ice cream:cake ratio is spot-on. The presentation, with the ice cream perfectly seated on top of the round of cake makes that magic happen and elevates this concept a notch. With a combination of richness and refreshing flavors, this dessert is a great end to a meal - and one of the stars of Olivia's menu. What I really want to know, though, is what makes it a "Basque" cake? And is anything here locally sourced? (Meyer lemons are in-season in central Texas.)

2043 S Lamar Blvd, Austin, TX, 78704
512-804-2700

BethGoulart on 09/23/08

These fries screamed, "Look, we're fancy seasoned fries!" from their bowl on our table Friday night. They were over-salted and over-seasoned, inelegant in spite of their pretentious setting. And they somehow seemed to have absorbed cooking oil all the way through, whereas a good fry should be crispy with oil on the outside, but fluffy and potato-y on the inside. Olivia gets points for the excellent ketchup. But I know this only because I dipped my finger in to taste it solo. Its subtlety was lost when it coated a fry.

1610 S Congress Ave, Austin, TX
(512) 326-4411

BethGoulart on 07/04/08

Everyone's talking about this week's NYT article, "The 11 Best Foods You Aren't Eating." ("Everyone" = Chad, at his house over turmeric-seasoned rice Tuesday night and Laura, on the Dishola newsblog - http://dishola.blogspot.com/) But the reporter for that story evidently didn't interview me, because I eat beets whenever I get the chance. Most often, my tablemate-for-life and I roast them and eat them plain, though a couple of weeks ago he zoomed them into a tasty cold borscht. If you're looking to ease into beets, this salad on Enoteca's antipasti list is a great way. The soft bite of the roasted beets goes great with the crunch of sliced fennel and the squirt of orange segments, while the flavors converge to complement each other without getting lost. And it's so pretty! Check out those jewel-toned hues. Then feel smug about knowing you really *should* eat something -- and eating it anyway.

98 San Jacinto Blvd, Austin, TX
(512) 685-8300

BethGoulart on 07/17/08

Remember Denny's? Or IHOP? That diner you went to when you wanted plentiful food that wasn't fancy? This breakfast is like the Four Seasons spin on that idea: eggs, meat, pancakes. But the ingredients are soooo much better! They're all local, so they're fresh and tasty and need little adornment. That's Pure Luck dairy's goat cheese sprinkled over local heirloom tomatoes and a griddle cake loaded with Texas corn, then drizzled with sweet-tart sauce made from local blackberries. The smoked sausage was made right here in Austin, and the eggs were laid by chickens that range sans cages just two hours out of town. And the price? That's reminiscent of a diner, too. The breakfast pictured here costs $10, folks. It's only on the weekday breakfast menu, and it may disappear when tomato season ends. So get it while it's hot!

1213 W Lynn St, Austin, TX
(512) 477-5211

BethGoulart on 07/08/08

I was lucky enough to be Laura's table-mate at lunch and Kris's table-mate at dinner on the day they both ordered pizza with bacon (lardo) and arugula. Being a high-maintenance sort of a table-mate, I sampled both of their meals and am here to tell you that Enoteca's won this pizza-off, no context. That said, I feel that Cipollina's *could* be good -- it seemed to be suffering a lack of attention to detail in the kitchen.