Top 10 Savory Bites
By Virginia B. Wood, Fri., Jan. 1, 2016
1) Biscuits at Fixe
Soft, doughy pillows are encased in crisp, buttery exteriors. Great on their own, they are even better with whipped honey and butter.
2) Cauliflower Velouté at Levitation France
Chefs from Angers, France, popped up a restaurant on the grounds of the French Legation during South by Southwest in March, and this silken soup was the highlight of my meal there.
3) Pullman Brioche Loaf at St. Philip
This heavenly bread was the base for several satisfying sandwiches here. My hopes that they would produce it for sale in the bakeshop were dashed when the restaurant closed.
4) Cauliflower with Raisins and Pine Nuts at St. Philip
This was my favorite vegetable dish all year. Another reason I was sorry when the Uchi group closed this eatery.
5) Farro Salad with Onions, Cucumbers, and Tomatoes in Balsamic Vinaigrette at 40 North Pizza
Though I liked the pizzas here a lot, one of the most memorable dishes was this hearty, well-balanced salad available as a side dish.
6) Mac and Gouda at Noble Sandwich Co.
This luxurious made-from-scratch version of the American dinnertime staple had our group of diners fighting for the last spoonful.
7) Spaghetti and Meatballs from Enoteca Vespaio
A friend brought me a special delivery of this dish while I was recovering from surgery in a South Austin facility, and just knowing there was food this good so close by helped me heal quicker.
8) English Muffins from I Knead That
Hands down, these are my favorite things from Jasmine Jones' line of baked goods. Toast them with butter and slather them with jams or jellies from Confituras to discover just how I got hooked.
9) Mushroom Pizza at Unit-D Pizzeria
The creamy white sauce, chopped portobellos, and cauliflower florets dusted with earthy porcini powder, plus truffles and a tangy shot of sherry vinegar, really set this pie apart from all the others I tried this year.
10) Pasta with Meat Sauce at Seton Medical Center
Anyone who works at Seton Main or who has been a patient there can tell you this pasta dish with a simple, flavorful meat sauce is the one menu item everybody loves and looks forward to. It was the best hospital-made dish I had during my monthlong stay.
