Last night, Tim and I did something we never do on weekdays...which is to go out to eat! And we didn't just go to one place, but four different places in a span of about three hours. Impressed? I thought so ;). We dishcrawled last night with about 40 other Austin foodies thanks to Linda and Julie who did a tremendous job organizing and orchestrating the event. The main objectives were to go on a food adventure and eat delightful dishes that the chefs and owners had selected and to mingle with fellow diners. And that we did. I was rather intimidated when I saw the huge mob of people at our first stop, but I slowly loosened up (no..I didn't have any alcohol) and off my mouth went. I met some amazing people (Linda, Julie, Karen, Liang, Anita, Robert, Jacque to name a few), and I hope to get together with them again soon!
So let's do a recap, shall we?
First stop - Swift's Attic (for appetizers). At all the stops, a spokesperson for the restaurant shared with us some background history of the place as well as what we were eagerly anticipating to savor.
The appetizers were comprised of assorted pickled veggies, "blistered shishitos" (Japanese sweet peppers served with cheese and vinegar dip), and deep-fried veggies served with a tangy soy dipping sauce. I honestly didn't listen to the explanation thoroughly nor did I really taste the food as the nerves had gotten the best of me in the beginning. Oops..good thing I had 3 other opportunities to experience the food and atmosphere properly.
Then we were off to our next stop. Random pictures of us walking around downtown...
Cru Wine Bar was so beautiful! It carries over 300 selections of wine from all over the world and has an exclusive award-winning wine list. To top it off, it has an extensive food menu that compliments the wine perfectly. The ambience was elegant yet comfortable and inviting.
Now, let's talk about the food. First I tried the Pear and Gorgonzola Pizza which had pear, gorgonzola cheese, caramelized onion, honey, basil, and parmesan. I do not like blue cheese so I was quite hesitant to try this. I had planned on taking just a trial bite, but that quickly turned into me inhaling it. The cheese was surprisingly not pungent nor stinky as I had imagined. And you know my love for sweet and savory pizzas! Divine! This was hands-down my fav dish of the night. Some of us, dishcrawlers, made plans to come back together to eat a whole pizza to ourselves. Can't wait!
Next up, we had a fried ball which was filled with a mixture of goat cheese and mascarpone, placed in a drizzle of liquid gold (aka, honey), sprinkled with cracked black pepper and lavender on top. What is this beautiful creation called? The Goat Cheese Beignet! (Love that word!). A perfect bite!
Lastly, we sampled the Ahi Tartare served in a mini taco bowl with avocado, cucumber, cilantro, and tomato. Honestly, I wished that the tartare had been served colder. Nonetheless, the flavor profile was good.
Our third stop was Annie's. Let me tell you, by this time it was around 9pm, and I was quickly fading away. This is my normal bedtime during the school week, and here I was in the middle of downtown Austin socializing and stuffing my face. I'm officially cool now ;)! I think I did a fantastic job in staying alert. Yup!
We were served (well, Linda served us) mussels in saffron Spanish chorizo broth, fries coated in parmesan and truffle oil, and a mixed greens salad.
The mussels were yummy, but I felt the fries were kinda stale. The flavor was there, it's just that I had hoped they would be warmer.
This was our last savory stop. Here's me feeling a little delirious...Tim doesn't seem to know what's so funny. Honestly...neither do I.
Our final stop, Cork & Co. As this is a wine bar, we had some amazing desserts catered for us here.
Let's talk about dessert, shall we?
Classic cherry pie, chocolate nutella pie with marshmallow fluff (Yes Yes Yes!), tiramisu cake ball...sound good to anyone? You betcha!!! It was heavenly! Tim's favorite was the cake ball. Mine? If you couldn't tell from the excitement above, it was the fluff one ;). It was the most decadent and rich of them all.
And with that, our first dishcrawl experience ended on a very sweet note! We can't wait to do it again! And if this sparked your interest at all, go check out their website and see if there's one happening in your very own neighborhood!
sprint2thetable says
what a cool concept! i'd love to organize something like that in ATL. so many options in midtown!
freshlifefindings says
Wow this looks like so much fun! You encourage me to get out of my comfort zone and meet people at events like this! It always help to have your husband with you too 🙂 These food treats are making me hungry! I'm glad you guys enjoyed a fun night out Min! You are so cute together.
Sara @ Nourish and Flourish says
What a fun mid-week foodie date night! I've never heard of a dishcrawl, but it sounds similar to a progressive dinner party, which is where you visit 4-5 different friend's homes for various courses throughout the evening. Restaurant food sounds MUCH more exciting (and delicious) though!
I can't help but gush about the goat cheese beignet! Oh my goodness. Fried goat cheese, mascarpone and honey? That sounds like a dream! But then there's that Chocolate Nutella Pie with MARSHMALLOW fluff...You already know how I feel about marshmallow fluff. 😉 I would have devoured this one in a heartbeat!
When I come visit you in Austin, let's attend a dishcrawl just like this! <3 I hope school is going well this week! xoxo <3
Min says
Oh yea! I've heard of what you're referring to as well. One of my friends threw one for her friend's farewell party. What a neat idea, huh? I wanna do that someday! I want my house to be the Asian food stop ;). Yes yes! it's all about the fluff! It took me a while to finish though as it was quite decadent! But def unforgettable!
I can't wait for you to visit! Until then, I'm going to keep enticing you with mouth-watering Austin eats 😉 I hope you're first week of school went well too! It's FRI!!!
Laurie @ Love, Laugh, Laurie says
This is such a great idea, I would love to do something like this!
Min says
Hi, Laurie! I think you would too ;). I mean, what is there not to like? You eat, walk it off, eat...makes perfect sense hehe
Linda says
It was so great meeting you and thanks so much for coming!
Min says
Hi Linda! Thanks for such an amazing evening! You rock! And I'm soo glad we met! Let's def get together soon!!!
IHeartVegetables says
*sigh* Just one more reason why I'm jealous of people that live in Austin!!! This sounds SO fun!
Min says
I'm sure there's a lot of fun, amazing things happening in your neck of the woods! Perhaps you can be sign up to be the dishcrawl ambassador for your city!! Now that would be an experience!
Linz says
I want to go to a dishcrawl!! This looks like so much fun!! And can I tell you that I just fell a little more in love with you when I read you go to bed at 9pm on school days?? ME TOO!!!! And actually Monday and Tuesday I went to bed much later (10 and 11pm YIKES!) so last night, I'm not even kidding, I crawled into bed at 8:45. LOVE IT!
Min says
Oh yay! I'm not the only one! 10 and 11?!?! Unacceptable! haha. I hope to get to know you more! I have a feeling we share a lot more similarities 😉 Happy Friday!!
Khushboo Thadani says
I LOVE the idea of a dishcrawl in me....much more up my alley than a pub crawl! I'm not one to turn down a drink but I don't think my alcohol tolerance would allow me to participate in a pub crawl haha! Desserts like this remind me why dessert is the last course....put me in front of anything nutella-/tiramisu-related and I would not be able to practice restraint nor moderation!
Min says
Yeeeaaa....pub crawl...I think I'll only be able to go to at max 2 places haha. It's a MUST to end on a sweet note! I'm glad that it was bite-sized though. Even though I may have wanted more (wink wink), there was none in front of me 😉
Ellie says
Ommmgshhh I want some tiramisu cake ball!!!! tiramisu is only like, one of my favorite desserts ever!!!! Mmmmm I imagine it's the best creation by mankind since...cake! 😀 And sweet and savory pizzas are so good~quite fusiony, but one of the better fusion type foods out there in my opinion. Unnie, you guys are so cute! hahaha I can tell you and I would get together and laugh about nothing, teeehee 😛
Min says
PUhahah! YOu're hilarious! I LOVE your enthusiasm!! I can clearly see that you LOVE tiramisu and cake ;). I wanna pop one in your mouth right now! IT was def TIm's favorite of the night! And yes..we need to get together soon and have some ajumma talks 😉
Tim says
MMM...tiramisu cake ball!!! I could've eaten a whole plate of 'em!! Thanks for thinking of me and taking me along as your date. I appreciate you!
Danielle (@itsaharleyylife) says
awww yay! you got to go! this sounds like so much fun! thats awesome that your hubby went with! (:
Min says
I'm SO SO glad TIm was able to come! He got off work early to join me! 😉 Fun, memorable times...
Kari @ bite-sized thoughts says
Wow - how fun!! What an amazing evening.
Min says
Ahh....it sure was a fun night! I love my blog bc now I can always reflect on all my past experiences. I reread this post several times since that day..and it's only been a couple of days haha.
myhealthyohana says
What a fun event!! Wish they had one in Honolulu! That pear and gorgonzola pizza sounds amazing...I don't like blue cheese either, but I have found that some gorgonzola is actually not very pungent (is that the right word?) 🙂 And that nutella pie with fluff, oh my. You and Tim are so cute, love that pic of the two of you!!
Min says
I know right?! The pizza was soo soo good! We're def going back to that place! Yup! Blue cheeses are very pungent...they MAY be good but I just can't get over the smell. But gorgonzola I think I can handle. I think the key is to pair it with something sweet to mellow it out, like caramelized onions. Oh...nutella pie....mmm...Tim came with me at the very last minute, and I'm so glad we got to experience this together 😉
Brittany says
What a neat outing!! You are glowing in these pics girl!
Min says
Tim and I had a blast! And omygoodness...glowing? Prolly bc I'm flushed from the wine? haha
kcrean88 says
what an awesome awesome idea, that looks like a blast! Totally worth staying up late for!
Min says
Yup! My thoughts exactly 😉
afterdinnerdance says
That looks like so much fun! I'm keeping my eye out for something like that in Houston. And that goat cheese beignet is genius! (but probably not too healthy!) 🙂
Min says
That was TIm's favorite! The lavender and honey really took it over the top! I'm sure Houston will have something similar! So many wonderful places to eat!!
eatpraytri says
WOW! That looks so fun! It all looks so yummy. You are a lucky gal 😉
Min says
Am I now? 😉 hehe. It sure was fun! Had a hard time staying awake the next day but def worth it!
erinberries says
I'm totally going to be checking out these places soon! 🙂 Let me know when there is another Dishcrawl! Sorry I couldn't go this time!
Min says
I'm not sure when the next one's going to be but def check it out!!