A quick trip to Waco and Salado revisited

A quick trip to Waco to meet my mom cleared any doubt in my mind that whatever navigation skills I have are from my paternal side.

It was a lovely day for a drive through the hill country and an opportunity to meet up with my mom is always welcome.  Waco is halfway for us, but oddly enough I arrived 30 minutes before her so I checked out a cute boutique full of mini stores called Spice Village – located downtown next to Ninfa’s.

I usually opt for Ninfa’s or Rudy’s when in Waco, but Collins Street Bakery has been on my list of places to try so I was happy to have my mom along to check out this little deli.  We didn’t try their famous fruitcake, but I can report they have a nice little soup/sandwich combo and they will give you a free cookie if you ask to try one.

Since my last trip to Salado was on a Sunday some of the stores were closed and I have intended to go back.  Today was a good reason to do just that.  If you need a break from I-35, Salado is a wonderful place to stop for a breather (Mom).

There are quite a few stores to check out on the main drag – Magnolia’s, Side by Side, Southern Comforts, etc etc

This looks like a place my mom and I would like

Horsefeathers was my favorite new find – they have a great shop located in a cute, little house with gifts and decor at very reasonable prices.

It’s been about 15 years ago that my friend Jessica’s mom told us chickens were in and  I think they are back (or maybe they never left)- I see them everywhere

I’d love to show you what I bought, but it is a gift for a friend with an upcoming birthday who I think may actually read this.  The picture of the sparrow is from Taylors.

I usually try to avoid I-35, but there are some really great places to stop along the way, if you have the time.

Can I also say, what is with wordpress changing their format constantly?  Is there a trick I don’t know to keep it from changing?

Round Top Antique Festival

One visit to Round Top and I am already trying to think of a way to move there.

The shops in the main square are situated in cute houses around a lovely, little church.

Oh and there’s pie.

Dutch Apple Pie (thank you Ann!)

The Marburger Farm Antique Show was a great reason to head to the foothills of the hill country.  Luckily I was traveling with some regulars.  My wonderful aunt Ann and her incredible, navigator daughter Leslie made sure I saw all there was to see.

Rows upon rows of antiques dealers from all across the country.  This is an event you cannot miss.

The traffic can be a little intense, but the drive between Brenham, Round Top, Fayetteville, and La Grange is scenic – with rolling hills and green pastures.  The Czechs and Germans knew what they were doing when they claimed their stake of Texas.

Brenham has plenty to offer.  A bbq restaurant called Nathan’s, a downtown area boasting many shops, and of course the Blue Bell Factory

The drive from Austin is relaxing.  As you head east on Hwy 71, you enter a stretch of pine trees and come upon the town of La Grange

And La Grange has much to offer including kolaches that will rival any you have had in West.

A great shop called Busy B’s that I failed to take a picture of, but where I found some really nice decor  for the holidays as well as gifts

I struggle to put into words how beautiful and relaxing this area of Texas is and I look forward to visiting more towns in this area like Schulenburg, Bastrop, and Giddings.  If you haven’t been, visit soon or at least put the antique festival on your list of things to do during the spring or fall in Texas!

Luling, Seguin, San Marcos, Oh my…..

Luling has been on my list for a while and a chat with a couple from Seattle who used to reside there was the impetus I needed to finally go.

I pulled into town starving and wondered where I should eat and spotted this place

Kidding!  How a Chinese restaurant can make it two doors down from City Market  is beyond me, but they are there so it must be good.  I will  never know because I went to City Market and it was exactly what I expected from what I have read in Texas Monthly and seen on TV.

You enter a smokey room where they serve it up by the pound, wrapped in butcher paper.  The only sides are potato salad and beans.  The tea comes sweetened with lemonade, but the majority of the people were drinking bottled Big Red.

Luling is cute and they have the watermelon festival at the end of June, but there isn’t much else going on as far as shopping goes.  However, in the fall it is worth the trip to stroll down the strip of palm trees (how often do you see that in a hill country town?)

Since I was in the neighborhood I decided to drive over to Seguin and I am so happy I did. I spotted this state treasure

Tallest silo climb in the world

Downtown Seguin is tranquil and beautifully landscaped

It reminded me of Hico.  There aren’t a lot of stores, but what is there is decorated well and stocked with quality merchandise.  Like Gifts & Gourmet which carries Jon Hart, Vera Bradley, Jan Barboglio, etc etc and

Starcke Furniture

For a girl who grew up eating the best pecan pie around, it was a pleasant surprise to stumble upon this

I decided to hit up San Marcos on the way back to Austin to check out the Last Call there.  If you like outlet shopping then San Marcos is mecca for you.  Neiman Marcus, Prada, Restoration Hardware, Dooney & Bourke, etc etc etc.

I can also report that San Marcos has a Dairy Queen and I stopped there….of course.

Happy trails!

Lockhart, TX BBQ Capital of Texas

Lockhart, county seat of Caldwell county, is located about 45 minutes southeast of Austin straight down 183.  Not the most scenic drive and slowed up a bit by construction, but it is worth the trip to check out the BBQ capital of Texas.

Fun facts about Lockhart from Wikipedia: The city’s Wal-Mart was featured in the movie “Where the Heart Is.”  Its quaintness and closeness to Austin have caused it to play host to other movie productions like “What’s Eating Gilbert Grape,” “Waiting for Guffman,” “Secondhand Lions, and many others.

This has to be one of the top 10 prettiest courthouses in Texas

I went to try the BBQ and there are four places to do so: Black’s, Smitty’s, Chisholm Trail, and Kreuze Market.  Black’s is the oldest (run by the same family) so I thought I would try it first.  Also, before researching Lockhart, it is the one I had heard of because it is frequently mentioned on Travel/Food shows.

215 Main Street

During his time as President, Lyndon Johnson selected Black’s to represent Texas BBQ at the Smithsonian.  Pretty impressive.  Now on to the food.

Black’s serves up their meat by the pound so you can order some brisket, a couple of ribs and then choose from beans, black eyed peas, macaroni & cheese, coleslaw, potato salad, sweet potatoes.  They also serve up a massive beef rib that reminded me of something Fred Flintstone might eat.  They charge per side so I opted for beans and potato salad.  Besides, with all that meat who has room for much more?  Okay I did add a deviled egg and pickle, but they are worth skipping, just fyi.

There are a few shops to check out around the square and if you get there by about 1 p.m. on Saturday, you can check out the farmers market.

There are a couple of antique shops, a few clothing and gift boutiques,

Wendy R – cute gift shop located on Main

a flower shop, and a music store.

Buffalo Clover Flower shop. I just love the Mexican metal art

I’m pretty pleased with the loot I left with

habanero salsa and prickly pear preseves from the farmers market.  

I think this year’s VBS is  Jonah and the big fish.  Whatdya’ think?

Check out Lockhart when you get a chance.  Your hardest decision will be deciding which bbq restaurant to try first.

Kreuz Market located just of 183 as you come into town from Austin

Smitty’s BBQ 208 South Commerce – downtown Lockhart

{Not pictured: Chisholm Trail 1323 South Colorado Street}

For those who have been, what’s your favorite spot to get bbq in Lockhart?

Fredericksburg, TX

It’s no secret what a great weekend trip Fredericksburg is so I’ll just tell you about some of the great places we went on our latest trip to celebrate the best mom in the world’s birthday.

First up, you have to eat German food when in F’burg and Auslander’s is my favorite place to do that.

Opa’s sausage appetizer

Sugar & Smoke came recommended by my aunt Cathy and I am so glad she told us about it.  I am still dreaming about these scones.

My mom and I split the brisket benedict with jalapeno hollandaise

We only ate there for breakfast so I guess I’m going to have to go back soon to try her lunch or fri/sat evening menu.  It looks pretty scrumptious.

The quiche with a teensy little biscuit

I  like what she says in her blog here about slowing down and making dinner an experience.  We so often rush through dinner so we can get to the next activity.  Some of the best meals I have had are those that are not rushed, the waiter doesn’t clear your plates in hopes that you will pay and leave, and coffee and conversation comes at the end.

This may have started with my granny at a place I get ridiculed for liking – Luby’s.  It’s not the best food and in most towns it’s not the best environment, but on Wednesday nights in Abilene it is where my granny and I ate dinner, drank coffee, and talked.  I would give up fine dining at the newest restaurant in town for another meal like that.

We came pretty close at Fredericksburg Herb Farm.  Happenstance brought us here.  We had another dining option set up, but it fell through and I found this place on yelp.

And it was amazing.  I’m sure most people who frequent Fredericksburg know about it, but we were new and we can’t wait to go back.  The atmosphere reminds me of The Homeplace in Tuscola , but the food is on an entirely different level.  Pasta made in house, bruschetta served on foccacia

and brick oven pesto chicken with polenta and fresh veggies.

Everything was perfect.   These are the dinners i enjoy the most.

Fredericksburg Herb Farm provides places to stay, spa services, shopping, and dining.

As you know, people go to Fredericksburg to shop.  And this is boutique shopping – no big name retailers or outlet shopping.  Most shops can be found on Main Street and you can spend a whole day checking them out.

We had Brinkley in tow and needed a dog-friendly place.  I recommend this website to find a place for fido.

We also road tripped it over to Kerrville, which is a beautiful 2o minute drive south of F’burg.  For those who know, this is where James Avery’s headquarters are and my mom and I have always wanted to visit.  My hopes to buy my mom something memorable turned into her doing that for me.  She is the hardest person to buy for, just so you know.

For the nature lover, take the time to check out Wildseed Farms just a few miles east of Fredericksburg.

They have a wonderful store with acres and acres of flowers, plants, vegetables, and a butterfly garden.

I can’t wait to go back.  What are some of your favorite places to go in Fredericksburg?

Road Trip: Gruene, TX

Along the banks of the Guadalupe River in Comal County sits the historic district of Gruene (pronounced “green” for the out-of-staters).  It is technically part of New Braunfels, but it has a history all its own – that of an old cotton ginning town that saw a decline in the 20’s & 30’s due to the boll weevil and the Depression.  A renaissance in the 70’s led to its rebirth as a destination for day tripping tourists.

There are a few shops and a winery on the main street to check out while you wait for your table at the Gristmill,

which is a great place to enjoy steaks, chicken, fish, sandwiches in a renovated barn on a ridge that overlooks the river.

There are shops for women

Home decor, jewelry, gifts for kiddos

And even an outfitters for the men to check out

Gruene Outfitters

Cotton Eyed Pea sells tshirts, books, and other souvenirs.

The General Store sells all types of local bottled/jarred sauces, salsas, marinades, and dips.  As well as souvenirs, books, and toys for the kiddos.

I wish my pictures had turned out a little bit better, but it’s so hard to capture the relaxed, comfortable feel of Gruene in a photo.  I like the way this picture turned out.

Texas’ Oldest Dancehall

Be sure to check the schedule at Gruene Hall to see if one of the many talented Texas country musicians is playing the night you are there.

If you can make a whole day or weekend of it, rent a toob from one of the many outfitters in New Braunfels and spend the day floating down the river.  If you have kids, check out Schlitterbahn, one of the most fun water parks in the state.

Trivia time! Does anyone know what kind of tree this is?

It looks like it was transplanted from a Dr Seuss book

Get yourself to Gruene soon! It is a great place to spend a summer weekend in Texas.

Pedernales Falls State Park & Johnson City, TX

Head west on Hwy 290 out of Austin and about 30 miles down the road you will see the turn off for FM 3232.  7 miles north you will find Pedernales Falls State Park.  Admission is $5/person and campsites are available for $20/night.

The park is a nice size and can easily be seen in the span of a couple hours – I went in the morning and the temp was just right around 80 degrees.

First stop – Pedernales Falls.  You can’t swim in the water here, but you can hike around and enjoy the scenery of the falls and big rocks.

On the opposite end of the park, there is a small river where you can swim.  It is just a short hike from the parking area.

For the hiker, check out the website for additional information on hikes.  It’s not a large park, but there are some nice views of the river and falls.

After I left the park, I decided to head west on Ranch Rd 2766 and about 8 miles away is the little town of Johnson City, TX  – population around 1100 and hometown of President Lyndon B Johnson.

Dining: It was lunch time so I decided to eat first and spotted Hwy 290 Cafe.  It was good.  As I have found, most cafes in small towns have a fried fish special on Fridays.

it also comes with coleslaw, but I asked to sub a garden salad and, in true small town cafe fashion, it came covered in cheese and ranch. 🙂

Here’s a little tip for dining in a place you have never been – Go to a few shops first and ask the shopkeepers where to eat (great advice I didn’t take).  I wish I had tried Ronnie’s Pit BBQ.  The owner of Nest told me it is really good and is usually sold out by 3 p.m.

Located on Hwy 281

Another spot that looked like it might be worth checking out if you are there for dinner is Pecan Street Brewing.  The menu features burgers and pasta dishes served with their own brew.

Located downtown – just across the street from the courthouse

Shopping: There are just a few shops in town.

Antiques and whatnots

Whatnots like this cute shirt

Black Spur Coffee Shop – Yard Art, Jewelry, and some home decor.

And the cutest of all – Nest, located on 281 (beside El Charro – a Mexican restaurant that also came recommended)

Sarah Jane bags, picture frames, antique knick knacks

And for the history buff, you can visit LBJ’s historical park

Follow the signs to 290 east and you are only about 50 minutes from Austin.  And if you are wondering, there is a DQ in Dripping Springs if you decide you need a dipped cone on the way back.

Big Bend: Days 3 and 4

Day 3

This day kicked off with breakfast at Squeeze, which is a great little cafe around the corner from the Paisano.

After so much decadent food, it was nice to have a light breakfast – oats, acai berries, and bananas

Did I mention we stayed at the Paisano?  It is a national historic landmark and famous for being the hotel where the stars stayed during the filming of Giant.  It’s a definite must-see when in Marfa, but I would suggest the Thunderbird or, if you’re on a budget, the Riata Inn.

storm rolling into Marfa. I forgot my camera so this might be a good time to apologize for the lack of quality pics. I do think the iPhone did ok though

Marfa, Alpine, and Fort Davis form a triangle and are each about a 25 minute drive from each other.  After breakfast, we headed over to Fort Davis to check out the fort.  There are also a few shops and historic building to check out in Fort Davis and, if you are there at night, the McDonald Observatory is also worth checking out.

For lunch we headed over to Alpine for lunch at the original Reata.

For those not familiar with Reata, it basically started because the owner of the CF Ranch wanted a good place to eat so he opened Reata in Alpine.  It is also located in downtown Fort Worth.

Tortilla crusted tilapia with rice and green beans

After lunch, we headed back to Marfa to look around/relax before our progressive tapas dinner.  If you have limited time in Marfa, I can’t think of a better way to try Cochineal and Maiya’s.  Both restaurants have exceptional menu offerings, but how do you decide?  You don’t.  You try a little of a lot of things.

First up at Cochineal was split pea soup with rosemary crouton, followed by fried artichokes, and finished up with a pate plate served with spicy mustard and pickles.

I tried it, but I’m still not a pate convert. Those pickles were delish!

At Maiya’s, she started us off with a goat cheese plate (fresh from local cheesemaker Marfa Maid) and endive and grapefruit salad.

Next out was duck served on grits with asparagus.  I don’t like duck and I heard a few others say the same, but we all agreed Maiya’s duck was delicious and didn’t have the gamey taste that it can sometimes have.  And I should confess, my plate of duck was clean at the end.  Maybe I’m a duck convert.

Quack

As if this wasn’t enough, she sent out an incredibly delicious portobello ravioli that had a spicy bechamel sauce.

And if that wasn’t enough, this incredible tapas dinner ended perfectly with a meringue topped with fresh berries.

Day 4

Today started with breakfast at one of the neatest cafes I have ever visited.  Austin Street Cafe is run by a husband and wife team who serve out of their renovated home, which was once owned by Donald Judd.

They are open by announcement or by appointment.  If you are headed to town, you definitely need to call ahead to make sure you can try it.

They served us a delicious egg dish topped with black beans and salsa.

Next up was a tour of Marfa with the Director of Tourism, Tex Toler.  He took us to the top of the courthouse and gave us a great lesson on what brought people to Marfa and what gives it its unique charm.

Marfa water tower from the top of the courthouse

You also need to check out the Marfa book store on Highland Avenue.  It is one of the best independent book retailers in the state.

We had lunch at the Food Shark food trailer located in the middle of town.   I don’t have a picture, but I tried the marfalafel and I give it two thumbs up.

We had the opportunity to check out Malinda Beeman and Allan McClane’s Marfa Maid goat cheese farm.  This was one of my favorite activities.  She is such a treat and it was so interesting to see the process of making chevre and ricotta.

making ricotta

I love knowing the goats are being used to make cheese and not cabrito. 🙂

This trip could not have ended with a more phenomenal evening.  We headed over to the CF ranch for dinner under the stars prepared by Mike Micallef, President of Reata.  Dinner started with Reata’s wedge salad, which is delicious and can be found in the restaurant’s cookbook.

Next up was the biggest ribeye I have ever seen served with asparagus and cheesey grits.

At this point, a fork stuck in me would have read done, but by now you know dinner doesn’t end without dessert.

And dessert was chipotle brownies cooked in a dutch oven served with homemade vanilla and cinnamon ice cream.

Yep, way done.  June and Cynthia also arranged for two astronomers to bring telescopes and high powered flashlights out to the ranch so they could show us constellations, galaxies, and planets.  They were incredibly knowledgable and a West Texas sky provides a great canvas for stargazing.

This was such an incredible trip and one I hope you can take.  Be sure and check out their website for  the other tours they offer.

Road Trip: Big Bend Day 1 & 2

DAY 1

Our group of 14 met at the Midland Airport and began the 3 hour drive to the Gage Hotel in Marathon, a town named by Capt Albion Shepard, a former sea captain, who was reminded of the plains of Marathon, Greece.  Along the way, we stopped at Mi Casita in Fort Stockton for lunch.  I enjoyed their Azteca plate which included two cheese enchiladas with red and green sauce and a taco.

The green sauce had a nice kick to it.

While in Fort Stockton, we paid a visit to Paisano Pete, world’s largest road runner.

We arrived in Marathon mid-afternoon and visited the gallery of James Evans.  He is the photographer who authored “Big Bend Pictures” and “Crazy From the Heat.”  His story of what brought him to that area is very interesting and can be found on his website.  I also visited his wife’s store, the French Grocer.

pretty nice produce dept for middle-of-nowhere West Texas

As mentioned in my last post, this is where we had the cooking demo and incredible dinner by Chef Lou Lambert.  Before the demo, the ladies kicked off the fun with June’s signature cocktail – the Junebug- a mixture of blackberries, mint, sparkling water, and Texas-made vodka.  We also had shrimp cocktail, guacamole, and salsa in the courtyard of the hotel.

Ceviche cocktail – recipe can be found in Lou Lambert’s “Big Ranch, Big City.” Muy delicioso

Followed by dinner and beautiful lightning and thunderstorm

Day 2

We set out early the next day to explore Big Bend and saw the window along the way.

We hiked through the Santa Elena Canyon and had a picnic lunch at Cottonwood park complete with boxed lunched provided by the Gage and wine.

On our drive from Santa Elena Canyon to Marfa, we stopped by Terlingua Ghost Town.

cemetery in Terlingua

We finished the day at Padres in Marfa complete with vocal stylings provided by Primo Carrasco and David Beebe.  A must-see du0 if you find yourself in Marfa on a Wednesday night.

And they serve frito pie in a big, which I always enjoy

More to come!

Texas Toast Culinary Tours: Big Bend and Marfa

This was one of the best trips I have ever taken.  I cannot say enough about June and Cynthia and the people I met while on the culinary tour of Big Bend and Marfa.  While I try to form my thoughts and come down from my food high, I will give you a few highlights that I think make their tour stand out.

Highlight #1 We stayed at the Gage hotel, which every travel book will tell you to do while staying in Marathon.  However, we had a special guest chef who demonstrated buttermilk biscuits and explained the process of trimming and cooking beef tenderloin.

Lou Lambert was there to cook one of the best meals of my life -Lamberts Chopped salad, beef tenderloin with mashed potatoes, and for dessert – Mexican flan.  He came out to talk about the inspiration behind each course and what inspired him to write his book “Big Ranch, Big City.”

Like whoa

Highlight #2 They had Austin Street Cafe, which is only open “occasional sundays & by appointment anytime” open for us.  It is owned by a wonderful couple who have made Marfa their home and have created a beautiful cafe in an historic house once owned by Donald Judd.

Egg casserole with chard fresh from the garden topped with black beans and salsa

Highlight #3 They arranged a hands-on goat cheese cooking class with Malinda Beeman of Marfa Maid dairy.

I think I have found my calling. I just need goats and someone to milk them.

Highlight #4 Dinner under the stars at the Micallef family ranch – owners of Reata restaurant in Alpine and Fort Worth – prepared by Mike himself. It kicked off with Reata’s wedge salad and was followed by one heck of a ribeye served with cheesey grits and asparagus.  For dessert – chipotle chocolate brownies with homemade cinnamon ice cream.  Are you kidding me?  Does life get better than an evening like this?

Well yes it does because they invited two of the most passionate astronomers I have met to bring  telescopes and high powered flashlights out to show us constellations, planets, and galaxies.  As you are probably aware, there are a few more stars visible in West Texas than say, the metroplex.

Highlight #5 It rained.  Out in this area of Texas that needs it so badly we saw a West Texas thunderstorm.

Okay maybe they did not have any control over the rain

There is so much more to share and, after so much indulging, so many miles to run.

Triva- Do you know where the world’s largest road runner is located?

To be continued……