Tag: restaurant
Wordless Wednesday – Of The Asian Persuasion
T’s Dumpling Bar – Veggie Dumplings
Thai Cuisine – Summer Rolls
SEA Market & Bistro – Pandan Sago
Nori – Iri Dofu
Masala Wok – Hot and Sour Soup
Kura Revolving Sushi Bar – Edamame
H Mart – Stewed Tofu and Seasoned Pickled Radish
Bodhi Viet Vegan – Seitan Jerky Papaya Salad
Sip Happens
Glorified far beyond its modest beginnings as the fruit of the vine, wine has fallen victim to classism, elitism, and pretension. Buying a bottle sight unseen can feel as confounding as taking the bar exam without having attended a single lecture, and potentially just as expensive. Setting aside the rites and rituals, pomp and ceremony that seem like exclusive insider information, it doesn’t need to be that way. Wine is for everyone, which is the ethos and inspiration behind Sixty Vines. Succinctly named for the sixty wines on tap, this Texas-born establishment is changing the wine landscape, quite literally, for the better.
Having just sprouted last month in The Domain, this is thirteenth location of the thriving restaurant group. Commanding a massive open space with high ceilings, walls of windows, and long communal tables, the use of space feels downright luxurious. Outside, you have the option of dining al fresco on the dog-friendly patio, perfect for the whole family.
The benefits of offering wine on tap are multi-fold. There’s no risk in trying something new and getting stuck with a lackluster, pricey full bottle. Never had an orange wine before? Curious about the difference between a Malbec and a Merlot? This is the place to find out. If you go in completely blind, with no prior knowledge of wine whatsoever, you’ll be graciously guided without judgement all the same.
If you’re like me and want to try a little bit of everything, customized tasting flights available in 2.5-, 5-, or 8-ounce pours are much more feasible without getting a wicked hangover later. Kegged wines are also much fresher than bottles that are repeatedly opened and exposed to air. From a sustainability standpoint, one keg holds the equivalent of 26 bottles, which adds up to much less material going into landfills.
Just as wine shouldn’t be reserved for the elite few, neither should the wine bar experience itself. Thoughtfully rounding out the drink menu with craft cocktails and equally creative non-alcoholic cocktails, every visitor will find something that’s a refreshing change of pace.
This spirit of hospitality extends to all facets of the menu. Items are clearly labeled as gluten-free, vegetarian, and vegan, but there’s much more room for nuance between those crisply printed insignias. Don’t be afraid to ask for adjustments, as most meatless offerings can be made completely plant-based. Case in point, the Crispy Zucchini is typically dipped in a buttermilk batter, but a soda wash is easily substituted upon request, and request you should. More substantial and meaty than potato chips, they’re crisp indeed, but also tender and juicy, coated in a sweet chili lacquer with blistered shishitos on top for garnish.
Similarly, ask for no cheese on the Hummus and you’re good to go. It’s a two-for-one prize that includes both edamame and beet spreads, although surprisingly, no chickpeas are involved in either. Relying solely on the creamy richness of tahini and glassy olive oil to create incredibly compelling spreads, a touch of cumin rounds out the fresh flavors, as well as the impressively short list of ingredients.
Making the case for carb-on-carb action, the Broccolini & Potato Pizza is the standout entree that immediately told me the chefs had real ambitions for inclusion here. Vegan by default, there’s no red sauce lurking beneath that velvety cashew blanket, despite what the deceptively rich flavor imparted by slow roasted cherry tomatoes may lead you to believe. A thin, gently charred crust supports the tender toppings that blend together harmoniously, ensuring that no one will walk away from the bar hungry.
Wine and all its trappings deserves to be enjoyed without all the ceremony or status. Sixty Vines is making a splash to shift that perspective, creating a space for novices, solo sippers, first dates, happy hours, and larger events, too. Even for non-drinkers, you’ll find plenty of reasons to say “cheers!”
Sixty Vines
3401 Esperanza Crossing
Austin, TX 78758
Wordless Wednesday: It’s Easy Eating Greens
Pinthouse Pizza – Shroomin’ Goat with Vegan Cheese
Flower Child – Mother Earth Bowl with Zoodles
Pinthouse Pizza – Vegan Sundance Salad
Salad & Go – Autumn Salad, Minestrone, Cucumber Lemonade
Dish Society – Quinoa Stuffed Avocado
Thai Kun – Green Curry
Zaika Zeitgeist
Buffets tend to be a losing proposition for vegans. For the all-inclusive flat fee of admission, you’re paying steak and seafood prices for steamed broccoli and iceberg lettuce. Even those paltry plant-based offerings should be “enjoyed” with caution: it’s guaranteed that there’s dairy in the dressings, cheese on the prepared salads, and cross contamination galore across the open chafing dishes bubbling away. There’s ample reason why I’ve avoided them studiously for years, well before concerns of COVID put an end to most mainstream smorgasbords.
Zaika Indian Contemporary Cuisine, however, is the antidote to this dying art. Despite otherwise catering to omnivores, they carve out space every other Sunday evening to host an all-vegan buffet. Not only can you rest assured that there’s no hidden chicken stock or ghee, but it’s also entirely oil-free. Anyone who limits their oil intake, or likes to indulge at Indian restaurants, knows that is rarer than a unicorn sighting. On top of that, almost everything is gluten-free, too.
For over six years now, Zaika has hosted these feasts, providing fresh, healthy, homemade food that welcomes everyone to the table. Originally inspired by a local Indian doctor’s recommendations, it began as a way for patients on strict dietary protocols to enjoy a taste of home, minus the negative health repercussions. Word spread through the local community, slowly but surely, expanding that fan base to people from all walks of life.
Banish fears of hidden dairy or menu misunderstandings; nothing is off limits here for plant-based eaters. Grab a plate and step right up, try a little bit of everything and don’t be afraid to go back for more. You won’t be judged for taking seconds (or thirds) of the richly spiced cabbage mattar, which is my personal favorite, or the mild and sweet tofu tikka masala. Trays are refreshed regularly, quickly, to keep everything on the line hot from the kitchen and abundantly stocked.
Baked, not fried potato samosas are an unexpected sensation, swaddled in homemade pastry with a softer texture than is traditional, yielding easily to meld with the tender spuds within. Bright green mint chutney is absolutely essential for peak enjoyment, soaking in and brightening each bite with invigorating herbaceous flavor, ending with a subtle kick of jalapeño heat.
What you won’t find on the buffet are garlic naan, but that doesn’t mean they’re out of reach. On the contrary, the chefs care so much about the quality of these popular flatbread that they’re made only on demand, ensuring that every diner gets their own personal batch, still warm, soft, and perfectly chewy.
The real struggle will be leaving room for dessert, because yes, you finish your meal with an array of sweet treats, too! Typically laden with ghee, milk, and heavy cream, this was the first time I’ve ever been able to finish a meal at an Indian restaurant with dessert. Even if you’re completely full, you must try a tiny spoonful of gajar halwa (mislabeled in the above photo). Impossibly buttery strands of shredded carrot are infused with brown sugar sweetness, tasting for all the world like a Thanksgiving sweet potato casserole. In fact, it’s fantastic enjoyed right alongside your entree, creating a crave-worthy contrast to all the spicy, tangy, bold seasonings on that main plate.
While the regularly daily offerings are fantastic as well, this is the kind of event worth planning the rest of your bi-weekly schedule around.
Zaika Indian Contemporary Cuisine
9025 Research Blvd #100
Austin TX 78758
Bodacious Vietnamese
Much has been written about “hidden gems” that are “tucked away” behind the main thoroughfares, but Bodhi Viet Vegan takes these sayings literally. You could drive right by, having painstakingly timed your visit with their excruciatingly limited hours, and still miss it. Don’t be discouraged by the dusty parking lot and ominously weathered looking store fronts; just through the alley, in a grassy clearing, you’ll find what you’re looking for.
This unassuming food truck in North Austin is run by Buddhist nuns and volunteers, fostering a sense of community, serenity, and altruism that comes only from the heart. With a vibrant Vietnamese menu focused on fresh, local ingredients, Bodhi Viet Vegan delivers an unparalleled experience that genuinely feeds the heart and soul.
You have the whole pan-Asian gambit to chose from, including classics like lo mein and kung pao, but if you leave without getting banh mi, you’re doing it all wrong. That’s not to say it’s an easy decision; you have to make the painstaking choice between spicy lemongrass seitan, braised tofu, meatless balls, or vegan char sui, but don’t agonize over it. Any protein you pick will shine against the backdrop of crisp pickled vegetables, cilantro and on a soft demi-baguette.
Another must-order are the golden fried rolls. Wrapped with care and stuffed with a vibrant mix of fresh shredded vegetables, their exteriors are impossibly flaky and delicate, shattering instantly with each bite. Paired with a sweet peanut sauce, they’re utterly irresistible. You get four pieces per order, which seems like enough to share, but I promise you it’s not. Make sure everyone gets their own or be prepared for a fight.
Soup stans, the homemade dumpling soup far surpasses any paltry wonton you’ve ever had before. Bold words, I know, but just take a look at those beautiful bundles here. Swaddled in toothsome yet not doughy skins, a juicy mixture bursts on your spoon, infused with a fragrant, umami broth. Tender-crisp vegetables swim at the bottom, luxuriating in their savory bath.
For a more substantial soup, the kimchi noodle soup is a clear standout. With a genuine spicy kick that grows with every subsequent slurp, thin, springy ramen noodles are thoughtfully packed separately, ensuring the textures of all components remain at the peak of perfection when you’re ready to dive in. Substantial slabs of tofu soak in all the bold flavors of the lightly fermented cabbage, hot and tangy, soft and supple.
To round out your meal with something sweet, there are plenty of desserts to explore, though the boba tea gets top billing for me. Given the rarity of finding dairy-free bubble tea at large, this is a real treasure. Even more impressive is how the tapioca pearls have just the right amount of chew, an excellent level of sweetness, and a genuinely fresh flavor. Strawberry, taro, or matcha; again, you can’t go wrong. Plan on working your way through all of them to taste the rainbow.
What’s most shocking isn’t just how pitch-perfect all the seasonings are, the way that the proteins hit all the right meaty notes, or the fact that there are zero animal products at play, but how wildly affordable it is. There isn’t a single dish above $9, while portions remain generous. Order normally and you’ll have a feast that will keep you fed for days.
It’s wise to plan in leftovers when you order, because the only disappointment in this operation is their difficult hours that are beyond limited. You only have Thursday, Friday, and Saturday, 11am to 6pm, to get your grub on. I can’t be mad though. For a delicious, affordable, and heartwarming vegan meal, it’s well worth the effort to visit. Don’t be surprised if you leave feeling not just satiated, but a touch lighter in spirit, too.
