I did not really know what to expect with this place. The name implies brewpub, the ambiance a chic contemporary yuppie-hipsteraunt and the menu more french inspired upscale than either of the other two factors indicate.
Came here on a date and we were sat almost immediately in this cozy little back room that was occupied by two other couples. The tables in the room were spaced a little awkwardly, but after I had a wine in my hand, I didn't much care.
Their wine list was a bit all over the place, but I appreciated (and enjoyed a few of) their offerings and though a bit of a markup was evident, it was not to the point of price-gouging as you see on a lot of other uninspired and uninformed Austin wine menus. I started with their Domaine De Couron Rosé, which was just perfect to sip on by itself as we perused the menu.
We started with the oeufs aioli and wow. Right off the bat, this place was already impressing me! The confluence of flavors from the aioli itself, boquerones, cornichon, and almond gremolata were magnificent! I had this with a glass of Paul Ponnelle Pinot Noir and it was a perfect flavor partner to these hard boiled egg flavor-boats.
My date and I both ordered the Butter Poached Crab. I usually like to order different dishes and share, but neither one of us were in a sharing mood when we saw that the crab was in a vanilla cognac sauce. Definitely salvaged the evening by getting separate plates because we would have been fighting over the last morsel; this dish was a revelation! First off, the crab comes in the cutest little mason jar I think i have ever seen. And, though it appeared almost disappointingly small at first, it was actually quite stuffed to the brim with the most succulent and decadent crab I have ever tasted! I am not even the slightest bit ashamed to say I would bathed in that butter cognac sauce! Seriously, this dish was just one of those that you just don't want to end because you are in foodgasm heaven! I paired this one with their Mistinguett Cava, which was a match made in aforementioned foodgasm heaven! I prefer cava to champagne, regardless, but this was a fantastic pairing because you still have the acidity to cut the natural sweetness of the crab & sauce, but the slight sweetness at the finish of the cava was like a flavor boost to the crab, so the little kick at the end of each bite and sip was like getting a delicious little bonus.
We ended the perfect meal with the perfect dessert: a Nutella & Banana Crêpe. The
brûléed banana and lavender-vanilla sugar really gave an added flair and when complemented by the Grand Courtage Rosé, it really was a "great courtship" between the strawberry notes in the wine and the sweet lavender in the dessert. it was like sweet little lavender infused firecrackers were going off in my mouth!
Needless to say, I was not only impressed, but awed by the food and wine offerings here, and that is saying something. The only two things that prevented a 5-star rating was the parking situation. There is just not enough of it. I usually don't discount stars for such trivial things, but having to try and scout a space for close to 15mins almost made me pick a different place for our date. The other one was our server was nice and attentive, but having to ask several times for water is a bit annoying in general, but especially when trying to cleanse my palate between wines (as pretentious as that sounds, I don't care, I would have hated to not been able to enjoy such an exquisite meal without readying my tastebuds for the next course of culinary ecstasy).
Will definitely be back! I have my eye on that duck reuben... read more