Tag: restaurants
Vegan Mac Smack Down
Untouched by passing trends, comfort food is always king. Across all ages, demographics, or dietary restrictions, this inalienable fact remains true. Of all the possible menu items that qualify for this distinction, mac and cheese ranks near the top for universal appeal. When you’ve got chewy noodles drenched in gooey golden cheese sauce, what’s not to like? And, that’s only the beginning.
Known for embracing the unconventional, Austin’s food scene has evolved to include a rich array of innovative plant-based mac and cheeses, spanning from simple to stupendous. If you don’t know what’s for dinner tonight, consider this your cheat sheet to instant gratification.
What Makes a Great Mac and Cheese?
To better appreciate art of making better mac and cheese, we need to examine exactly what can either add or detract from the eating experience. Every single element counts in a dish this simple. The best mac can be judged by the following facets:
- Perfectly Cooked Pasta: Al dente pasta provides the ideal base, ensuring a satisfying texture and bite.
- Consistency and Quantity of Sauce: Silky smooth, velvety bechamel or bust; lumps, clumps, or graininess are never acceptable. Furthermore, there needs to be enough sauce to comfortably envelope the pasta without turning into noodle soup.
- Cheesiness: Yes, mac and cheese must be about the cheesy flavor, first and foremost. Some chefs may opt to start from scratch with nutritional yeast, while others might prefer the ease of melting plant-based shreds. Neither answer is wrong if the essence of cheddar rings out strong and clear.
- Innovative Twists: From high-end add-ins like truffle oil to humble green peas, a touch of creativity sets outstanding mac and cheese apart. Unexpected flavor combinations, pairings, or platings are what make one mac more memorable than the next.
The Best Vegan Mac and Cheese in Austin, TX
Wordless Wednesday: I’ve Gotta Hand It To You
Aviator Pizza and Drafthouse – Personal Pizza with Vegan Cheese, Portobello Mushrooms, and Sweet & Spicy Brussels Sprouts
Asahi Imports – Austin Onigiri
Planet Smoothie – Kid’s Strawberry Banana Smoothie
Loving Hut – Raw Zucchini Pesto Pasta
Hunan Lion – Moo Shu Tofu
Fast Friends Beer Company – Shroo-Me Pizza with Vegan Cheese and Plant-Based Sausage
Wordless Wednesday: How Do You Tofu?
Blue Sushi Sake Grill – Vegan Black Dragon Roll
Loving Hut – Heavenly Salad
Ginkgo Sichuan Cuisine – Mapo Tofu
Dong Nai – Zucchini Noodles + Salt and Pepper Tofu
Bouldin Creek Cafe x Better Balance Foods – Mapo Tofu
Dearly Departed Restaurants of 2023
Hope and optimism abound, rising like a phoenix from the ashes of the pandemic. Signs of recovery, highlighting the resilience and creativity throughout the restaurant industry, buoy hungry diners coming back in droves to taste what they’ve been missing. Still, all new challenges pose daunting, sometimes insurmountable issues that put this path to recovery in peril.
Devastating closures continue to ripple through every level of the service industry, wiping out many beloved local establishments indiscriminately. Losing cherished restaurants in every sector has been particularly heartbreaking for those who have built strong connections to the community through food and hospitality.
As 2023 comes to a close, I’d like to take a moment to honor the memories of those who have left us this year. Gone but not forgotten, there will forever be an empty spot at the table for these shuttered restaurants.
