We headed to Austin over Mother’s Day weekend to spend time with Daughter. We had a lovely time and enjoyed some delicious meals. When she first went off to college, if we were going to see her, we’d leave town on a Friday evening after work and head home on Sunday. Over time, however, we’ve learned that what works best for us is to get up early on Saturday morning and head west.
Leaving town on a Friday after work resulted in us arriving in Austin late and then rushing to have an even later supper and then head to bed. By getting up early on a Saturday morning and heading out, we’re much more fresh and well-rested. We’ve also learned over time that one night and two half-days seems to be the sweet spot for spending time with our little independent adult. Anything longer than that and well … let’s just say we start butting heads.
Sometimes we have a full itinerary for our trips to the “Forty Acres” with lots of planned activities. Other times, we just lay low – eating, visiting and resting. This particular trip was the latter, and something we all needed. With all three of us burning the candle at both ends as the spring semester drew to a close, it did us all good to just hang out and chill in our hotel room.
But you know us better than that by now. You know we take our meals seriously and that sometimes they become events in and of themselves. This trip was no different.
As our hotel room wasn’t quite ready when we arrived to check in, we headed a few blocks up the road to a Dairy Queen for a little snack as we killed some time. They each ordered a Blizzard. I, however, opted for something that I’d completely forgotten about, probably because I hadn’t had one in close to five decades – a Dilly Bar. Talk about retro!
That Saturday night we had reservations at Austin Land & Cattle located at 1205 N. Lamar Blvd. We’ve been to the steakhouse a half-dozen times or so since discovering it and have never once been disappointed. They have one of the best wedge salads I’ve ever eaten and I usually start with that. It’s topped with blue cheese crumbles, herb-tossed tomatoes, double-smoked bacon and blue cheese dressing. Hubby and Daughter typically forego the salad and enjoy the fresh baked bread which is delicious.
Daughter and I each ordered the 12-ounce ribeye medium rare and Hubby went for the 16-ounce ribeye medium rare. She selected bacon mac and cheese for her side, I opted for a baked potato all the way and Hubby chose mixed veggies. As usual, the food was delicious and the service impeccable.
The following morning, we went for brunch at First Watch located at 10710 Research Blvd. We’ve been there before and can always count on a good brunch with lots of variety from which to choose. They also have very good seasonal menus, with several choices that are served for a limited time only. A couple of items on the seasonal menu caught mine and Hubby’s eye immediately – the “Chimichurri Steak & Eggs Hash” and “The B.E.C.”
He went with the “Chimichurri Steak & Eggs Hash” which consisted of a seared steak, fresh spinach, Cheddar and Monterey Jack, diced red bell peppers and house-roasted onions in a potato hash, topped with two cage-free eggs any style, crumbled Feta cheese, house-pickled sweet peppers, roasted garlic aioli and a drizzle of chimichurri sauce.
I selected “The B.E.C.” which stands for bacon, egg and Cheddar and is their twist on a traditional breakfast sandwich. It is hardwood-smoked bacon, folded cage-free eggs, aged Cheddar, house-pickled sweet peppers and arugula with Calabrian chili aioli and roasted garlic aioli on griddled artisan sourdough bread and is served with lemon-dressed organic mixed greens.
Daughter chose “The Works Omelet” which was a cage-free egg omelet with ham, bacon, sausage, house-roasted crimini mushrooms, onions and tomatoes with Cheddar and Monterey Jack. It was served with lemon-dressed organic mixed greens and whole-grain artisan toast.
I nearly forgot to mention that we started the meal with a plate of “Million Dollar Bacon,” something we’ve had before and just can’t pass up as a starter. It is four slices of signature hardwood-smoked bacon glazed with brown sugar, black pepper, cayenne and a drizzle of syrup. Let me just say that if you like bacon the way we like bacon, then this special treat is a must.
Over the course of our visit, we also squeezed in trips to Target to pick up a few things for Daughter’s apartment, to HEB to replenish her groceries and to the gas station to top off her tank.
Before heading home on Sunday, we made a stop at Amy's Ice Creams located at 3500 Guadalupe St. Daughter selected a scoop of Mexican vanilla ice cream topped with sprinkles. Hubby and I each opted for a scoop of dark chocolate.
We enjoyed every minute of our time together, certainly didn’t go hungry and are already looking forward to our next trip to see her.
