January's Best Bites: From the Tried + True to Brand New

If you've been following my Instagram account (hint, hint!) you may have seen some of the places I have eaten this month. Here's a recap of a few of the stellar things I have had; maybe I'll make this a monthly feature!

This is a special order lamb and prune tajine is from my favorite trailer, The Flying Carpet.  The lamb was incredibly tender and just melted in your mouth. Check their website for items that can be ordered 24 hours in advance; they also have an indoor eating space that will transport you to Morocco!

Here's the Hot Chocolate Gianduja Cake from Red Ash, a chocolate lover's dream! The crunchy bits added a nice textural contrast, along with the ice cream. We also loved the hot bread with garlic, but the burrata and gorgonzola gnocchi left me underwhelmed. But I would certainly go back for this and a nice glass of Italian red wine.

Award-winning Confituras, long a staple at area farmer's markets with their seasonal jams and canned goods, has finally opened their forever-home on Goodrich, off South Lamar.  Get fresh hot biscuits with butter or a rotating jam selection, along with coffee or tea. As a community kitchen, they will soon be offering classes and an expanded menu, stay tuned!

I was invited to the media preview at Fareground (at 111 Congress Avenue) the first urban food hall in Austin, and their opening is a reason for rejoicing. Six purveyors (Easy Tiger, Antonelli's Cheese, Henbit, Contigo, Ni-Kome, and Dai Due) plus a bar all operate seven days a week. Pictured is the wild boar taco al pastor from Dai Due Taqueria  that had amazing flavors and a housemade blue corn tortilla.

Also at Fareground, these chocolate chunk cookies from Henbit (offshoot of Emmer + Rye) were warm and delicious.

Recently opened in Lamar Union, TLC Austin seeks to bring Texas comfort food with a coastal influence to the masses. This vegetarian sandwich called The Enlightenment was just that! Stuffed with watermelon radish, cheddar, carrots, cukes, avocado and pesto, it was held together by a sturdy grainy bread. And only $8. Raw oysters and boils also available.

What have YOU eaten recently that you loved? What do I need to check out? Share in the comments! Happy eating!

Bits and Bites

Random bits of food-related news!

Celebrity News
-- Colt McCoy, yes, the football player, has invested in Dunkin Donuts, which will be opening 24 area donut stores in the coming months. I prefer a good Dunkin cake donut or holes over Krispy Kreme anyday!
-- Justin Timberlake is going to bring his Southern Hospitality Memphis-style BBQ restaurants to Austin in 2013. Bring on the baby backs!

Restaurant News
-- The Carillon is continuing with their 3 course, $29 menu through December, which includes a salad, pork loin, and a dessert with beets and goat cheese!  
-- Foo Swasdee is back at her Satay restaurant after an extended trip to Thailand.

Open, finally
-- Sway, the new Thai spot from the La Condesa restaurant family at South 1st and Elizabeth Streets,
-- East Side King, at Hole in the Wall on the Drag, the first brick and mortar installment from Paul Qui, building on his ESK food trailer empire.
-- Unfortunately, Jax Neighborhood Cafe, where former Artz Ribhouse owner Art Blondin was tending the BBQ, has closed. I ran into Art this past week and he said he's got some options to explore.

Holiday Gift Ideas
-- Looking for that perfect gift for your favorite foodie? Edible Austin has put together an awesome holiday guide filled with local ideas and products.
-- Places like Central Market have pre-made gift baskets or you can shop for your own favorite items!
-- Lots of restaurants and purveyors offer gift cards!
-- Local online shopping can be done through merchants like Confituras  (amazing & award-winning jams, sauces, and now salts!) and Cocoa Puro (artisan enrobed cacao nibs), both farmers' market regulars who have branched out! 

Winners
-- The Austin Food and Wine Alliance announced the winners of their $20,000 culinary grants this past week: Argus Cidery, Tecolote Farms, and Connally High School Culinary Program. Congrats to all!

Searching...
-- I received a press release for a new reality tv show that's casting for the Late Night Cooking King or Queen. If you or someone you know operates a bar, food truck or other establishment into the wee hours of the  morning, and are interesting in applying, shoot me an email {southaustinfoodie@gmail.com}, and I can forward you the email that was sent.

And finally...
-- I've got one reader who is looking for locally made plum pudding. If you know anyplace, would you leave a comment here or drop me a line? Thanks!

Peace and good eating to you all this holiday season!