• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer

MJ and Hungryman

  • About
  • Blog
  • Feeding tips
  • Recipes
  • Resources
menu icon
go to homepage
  • Baby Led Weaning
  • Recipes
  • Feeding tips
  • Resources
  • About
  • Contact
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
  • search icon
    Homepage link
    • Baby Led Weaning
    • Recipes
    • Feeding tips
    • Resources
    • About
    • Contact
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
  • ×

    MJ & Hungryman » Uncategorized

    Finn & Porter

    By Min On February 25, 2015, Updated April 4, 2020

    This post may contain affiliate links. Please see our disclosure policy for more details.

    Share or Save It for Later!

    Finn and Porter

    MJ's been cranking out the recipes (some pretty tasty ones, I might add), so we've been eating out even less frequently than usual. But when we got the invitation to check out the Fall menu at Finn & Porter, she was willing to hang up her apron for a night and accompany me to the beautiful dining establishment located inside the Hilton Hotel in downtown Austin. Now F&P has been on my radar for some time as it keeps popping up on Zagat's Best of ... lists - Best Seafood Restaurants in Austin, 9 Hottest Sushi Restaurants in Austin, Most Romantic Tables in Austin - so I couldn't have been more eager for this opportunity.

    Finn and Porter

    Due to typical Austin rush hour traffic, we arrived past our reservation time, but were greeted as if we were right on time. We were shown to our booth and welcomed by one of the managers shortly after. Hospitality. There was no lack of it the entire evening. Executive Chef Peter Maffei even came out to say hello and give us a rundown of the evening. If we weren't feeling special before, we were definitely feeling it now. I always get starstruck in these moments. There's just something about a chef's coat that creates a commanding presence. But after talking to Chef Maffei about his early start in the culinary world (a part-time job in a pizza joint at the age of 15) and learning that he lives in the same town as us just northeast of Austin, both MJ and I were able to ease up and soak in the moment.

    Finn and Porter

    "Don't think of it as a sprint, but rather a marathon." These were the words that prefaced our meal. I would soon realize how sage this piece of advice was.

    Finn and Porter

    Tastings I had done in the past involved small plates with small bites...a teaser of the menu. This tasting, well...it was the actual menu! Full size appetizers, entrees and even a dessert to finish. I removed my jacket, rolled up my sleeves, and got ready to "work." Pearl, our dear server for the evening, brought us our complimentary flutes of champagne and made sure there wasn't anything else we were in need of. Did I mention the impeccable hospitality of the entire staff?

    Finn and Porter

    To start the feast, we began with the Lockhart Quail - confit grape, pearl onion, kohlrabi puree and sherry jus. MJ and I couldn't help but smile at each other as we appreciated all the flavors on the plate. Our table was cleared and out came two more plates - Pan-seared Scallops and Jumbo Lump Crab Cake. The large diver scallops were presented with a gorgeous sear and accompanied by shaved Brussels sprouts tossed in a warm bacon dressing. I could've eaten a whole bowl of those Brussels sprouts, but MJ felt that the bold bacon flavor detracted from the scallops. She's a bit of a purist when it comes seafood, especially scallops. Just a touch of salt and pepper, if anything at all, is her preference. The crab cake was served with an Old Bay hollandaise sauce and a red pepper celery salad. As enjoyable as the large pieces of crab meat were, the salad was doused with an overly generous amount of vinegar creating an off-putting aroma and flavor.

    Finn and Porter

    Maintaining a good pace, we moved onto the Grilled Gulf Shrimp served on a bed of citrus, fennel, macadamia nuts and brown butter pineapple sauce. I particularly liked the fresh citrus juice with the perfectly prepared shrimp. And to finish out the appetizer portion of our meal...Chicken Liver Pate. The pate was smartly served with a delicious red onion marmalade.

    Finn and Porter

    Five plates in and I was still feeling pretty good. As for MJ, I knew I would lose her soon. The entree processional began with brioche-crusted Striped Bass served with celery root & sweet potato ravioli (one of MJ's highlights of the evening...her and her sweet potato), grilled broccoli and broccoli puree.

    Finn and Porter
    MJ (after 10 minutes of eating) - looking fresh and eager; me (after 1.5 hours of eating) - looking like one in desperate need of a nap

    Finn and Porter

    Next came a beautiful bowl of roasted mushroom broth with one of the most immaculately white pieces of Sea Bass you will ever encounter. Cooked sous-vide with a little butter and olive oil, the fish was incredibly moist and tender. This dish was without a doubt one of my favorites of the night.

    Finn and Porter

    Considered one of the most indulgent dishes in town, the Confit Duck & Foie Gras Pot Pie lived up to the billing. Melted foie gras in place of butter in the veloute...decadent. At this point in the evening, two spoonfuls was about all I could handle, but I did find myself dunking my spoon for extra pieces of duck.

    Finn and Porter

    And just when I was ready to crawl into a corner and let the food coma consume me, Chef Maffei presented us with the last entree of the night - Strube Ranch New York Strip (Wagyu beef) and house-brined Pork Chop with bacon & potato terrine and soy-chile glazed Brussels sprouts. There was not a single item on this plate that I did not take delight in.

    Finn and Porter

    To cap off the night, we sampled the chef's whimsical take on a s'more (inspired by a suggestion from his daughter). The aroma from the charred oak leaves truly enhanced the experience as my mind was instantly transported to the campfire. I couldn't help but appreciate the sensory stimulation.

    Finn and Porter

    The ambience was incredibly nice, the servers so friendly, and the pace of the meal very well managed that we hardly realized that we had been there for 3 hours. We're so appreciative of the time Chef Maffei set aside to serve our courses and just to hang out with us. It's a special thing when a restaurant is headed up by a chef with a true love and respect for food. Again, our sincere thanks to the entire crew at Finn & Porter for treating us to such a wonderful culinary adventure. I caught MJ eyeing the sushi menu, so I'm pretty sure we'll be making a return visit in the near future.

    More Uncategorized

    • Baked cookie with a bite taken out of it.
      Flourless Peanut Butter Chickpea Cookies
    • a collage of my favorite toddler products
      Favorite Gifts (2022)
    • Baked Vegetable Fries with BBQ Beef Chili
      Baked Vegetable Fries with BBQ Beef Chili
    • Turkey Enchilada Stir Fry with Couscous
      Turkey Enchilada Stir Fry with Couscous

    Share or Save It for Later!

    Share: [addtoany]

    About Min

    Thank you so much for stopping by! I am Min, a Registered Dietitian, a Christ follower, a wife, and a mom to our two miracle babies! Currently, I’m having a ton of fun feeding their tummies and sharing our baby led weaning journey! Follow me on Instagram if interested in seeing daily menu as well as tips and tricks.

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Hungryman says

      March 04, 2015 at 11:34 pm

      Hey Ray...Thanks for stopping by and thanks for taking the time to leave a comment! We definitely have plans to hit up some of the newer places around town (there are just so many of them!) so be sure to check back in.

      Reply
    2. ellie | fit for the soul says

      February 26, 2015 at 1:32 pm

      I don't know where to start with this crazy and yummtastic meal, Tim!!!! I seriously need to invite myself over to your special dinners. And you're such a blessed man--godly, humble, AND beautiful wife?! ^_^v

      Reply
      • Hungryman says

        February 28, 2015 at 12:59 am

        Ellie...we certainly could've used an extra mouth or two to help us finish off this meal! Thankfully they let us take some leftovers home. And thank you for your kind words. Indeed I am blessed. I couldn't ask for a more beautiful wife inside and out!!

        Reply

    Leave a Reply Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Recipe Rating




    Primary Sidebar

    HI!

    I am MJ, a registered dietitian and a mom of 2. I truly hope you’ll enjoy all the recipes and tips that I share on what and how to feed your child!

    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest

    search

    Trending Now

    An overhead shot of fun shaped mango popsicles on a plate.

    Creamy Mango Popsicles (So Easy)

    Baked biscuits with toddler's hand grabbing one.

    Healthy Teething Biscuits

    Stacked bliss balls with a bite taken out of one on the top.

    Easy Bliss Balls

    a slightly angled shot of mango shake in two glass jars with toddler holding one.

    Easy Mango Shake (3 Ingredients)

    Banana popsicles two ways - strawberry yogurt and chocolate walnut.

    Banana Popsicles (Easy and Healthy)

    Frozen yogurt covered blueberries with toddler's hand.

    Frozen Yogurt Covered Blueberries

    Is your baby 4-6 months old?

    Give your baby a head start on solids even before their first bite!
    I'M READY!

    Is your baby 6 months old and up?

    Learn all the secrets to starting solids safely while optimizing nutrition!
    I NEED IT NOW!

    Is your toddler becoming picky?

    Arm yourself with these strategies that will transform your mealtimes!
    YES, PLEASE!

    popular feeding tips

    A four image collage of simple breakfast ideas.

    Top Foods for 6 Month Old Baby (with Recipes and Meal Plan)

    A four image collage of simple BLW meals.

    Baby Led Weaning Made Easy (a complete Guide)

    A four image collage showing how to serve protein finger foods for baby

    Best Healthy Finger Foods for Baby

    A four image collage of healthy baby snacks including iron.

    Healthy Baby Snacks (Easy and Balanced)

    Footer

    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest

    Copyright © 2023 MJ & Hungryman LLC · Privacy Policy | Contact

    This website uses cookies to improve your experience. We'll assume you're ok with this, but you can opt-out if you wish. Cookie settingsACCEPT
    Privacy & Cookies Policy

    Privacy Overview

    This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these cookies, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are as essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may have an effect on your browsing experience.
    Necessary
    Always Enabled
    Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. These cookies do not store any personal information.
    SAVE & ACCEPT